Chairman Mahmoud Abbas of the Palestinian Authority repeated his declaration Sunday night that Israel must choose between peace and communities in Judea and Samaria. After speaking to Jewish writers and intellectuals in Paris, Abu-Mazen was quoted by the Associated Press as saying, "Either peace or settlements." He continued, "If it's peace, then it's through talks. If (Israel) doesn't choose it, it will be a waste of time, a waste of opportunities."
Abbas is scheduled to hold talks on Monday with French President Nicholas Sarkozy.