| CONFERENCES & WORKSHOPS | |
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1993
"Security
Arrangements." Meeting with Mrs. Elizabeth
Rehn-Minister of Defence, Finland.
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SUMMARY:
| This meeting was attended
by Mr. Faisal Husseini, Dr. Hanan Ashrawi, Dr. Khalil
Shikaki and Dr. Mahdi Abdul Hadi. The main discussion
centred on the Declaration of Principles and the
inequality of the relationship between Israel and
Palestine as specified therein. Despite several months
having elapsed nothing has changed on the ground and no
part of the DOP has, as yet, been incorporated into
Israeli policy. Arafat and Rabin understand the
contradictions because they were not the only
contributors to the DOP and because of the diversity of
political opinion in their respective communities. The
problem of security was raised as was Israel's
intransigence on insisting that external security is
under their complete control. This includes continued
military presence in the OPT and total command over
borders. The possible use and operation of the Rafah and
bridge crossings were discussed. Internal security including the role of the Palestinian police force vis a vis settlers and settlements, in relation to the Israeli police and in its role in implementing the decisions of the Palestine National Authority, was discussed at length. It could act as a protection from Israeli interference, protect civilians, maintain order and prevent attacks from extreme settler elements. On the status of settlements and their security there were many decisions to be made; whether they would become military installations, be policed by the IDF or become de-militarised civilian zones. Withdrawal and/or re-deployment of Israeli troops was another matter raised. The meeting concluded with a discussion on the status of Jerusalem.
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