Meeting int''l quartet conditions to allow negotiations with Israel -- Abbas

CAIRO, Oct 22 (KUNA) -- Visiting Palestinian leader Mahmoud Abbas affirmed here Saturday that he would return to negotiations with Israel at once if and only Tel Aviv agreed on the international quartet statement pertaining to the resumption of talks within certain boundaries.
Speaking to heads of Egyptian newspapers and media, Abbas said that the Palestinian Liberation Organization (PLO) would resume talks on the criteria set by the quartet, adding that such steps required Israel to acknowledge the 1967 borders for the Palestinian future state and the halt settlements building policy.
The quartet would begin Wednesday to make contacts with both parties involved in the process to find some common grounds that would set for the resumption of talks, said Abbas. The Palestinian official affirmed that such steps would not mean that the Palestinians would withdraw their UN statehood recognition papers.
He reflected on the technical process, affirming that steps in that domain were going on with a report to be submitted by November 11 to the UN.
On the US refusal to accept Palestinian UNESCO, Abbas noted that 194 states had agreed on the matter and it would not harm anyone. The Palestinian President refused allegations that the Palestinians were not ready to run a state which received most of its finances from foreign aid, indicating that the World Bank and other international organization had recognized that the Palestinians where heading on the right direction economic wise.
In regards to the situation with Hamas, Abbas said that there were some differences at present but on the same level, there is a future of nation at stake and such make Palestinians agree on crucial matters.
The Palestinian leader affirmed that he would meet with head of the Hamas Political portfolio in Damascus Khaled Mashal in the beginning of November to discuss the matter.
Abbas lauded the Egyptian involvement in the Palestinian prisoners exchange deal between Hamas and Israel, affirming that freeing so many Palestinians in exchange with Israeli soldier Gilad Shalit was a great step. (end) Abbas is expected to meet with Supreme Commander of the Egyptian Armed Forces Field Marshal Mohammad Hussein Tantwai, discussing issues of mutual interest and the development on the Palestinian statehood bid.

Meeting int''l quartet conditions to allow negotiations with Israel