Israel downplays Egyptian talk of new peace deal

Israeli officials played down reports from Egypt Tuesday night of a dramatic Middle East peace breakthrough, but confirmed that progress was being made in behind-the-scenes negotiations.

Egypt's official Middle East News Agency claimed late Tuesday that Cairo has reached a framework understanding with Israel, the Palestinians, the United States and Europe on principles to settle the entire Israeli-Palestinian conflict.

A source in the Prime Minister's Office said he could not confirm reports in the Egyptian media. There are, however, he said, "elements that are true."

As long as it is quiet, "Israel will not initiate any military action," he said. "We will respond positively if on the other side there are arrangements for a cease-fire, a cessation of hostilities."

But he was quick to add that no initiative is going to substitute for the road map to peace or for the Palestinian obligation to stop terrorism and to make reforms.

Palestinian officials responded, too, that talk of so widespread a deal was premature.

PA Negotiations Minister Saeb Erekat said that, "The Palestinians have always devoted every effort to ending the cycle of violence between the two peoples."

Quoting unnamed high-level sources, MENA said the understanding could stand as a "principle agreement" that includes a general framework of steps toward a settlement.

It said the points include an agreement on a cease-fire, in which the "new Palestinian Authority" would end the operations against Israel and prove its control over the situation in Gaza and the West Bank."

Egypt also said that it could soon return its ambassador to Israel, according to MENA.

With a presidential election to replace Yasser Arafat scheduled for January 9, new Palestinian leader Mahmoud Abbas has been trying to persuade terrorist groups to cease attacks against Israel. Egypt has also been involved in the truce efforts.

"It should be understood that whatever arrangement is reached, this is not a substitute for fulfilling the obligations the Palestinians have taken upon themselves under the road map," the Israeli official said.

Last week, Prime Minister Ariel Sharon assured Egyptian Foreign Minister Ahmed Aboul Gheit and chief of intelligence Omar Suleiman that Israel would "adopt certain measures to maintain self-confidence building to open the road before a settlement."

MENA said Sharon also assured the Egyptian delegation that Israel "does not want to leave the deteriorated situation to lead to a Palestinian civil war" and that he promised to release some frozen Palestinian money and relieve measures concerning the movement of the Palestinians.

With Arafat dead, it might just happen, maybe, perhaps, possibly, ...