Israeli and Palestinian Authority (PA) officials revealed Saturday they will renew dialogue as agreed at the Sharm al-Sheikh summit accord two months ago. Israel suspended most of the planned discussions and cooperation after the PA did not fulfill its part of the agreement to stop incitement and arrest terrorists.
Renewal of discussions is planned Sunday or Monday between government advisor Dov Weissglas and PA Minister Saab Erakat following pressure by US President George W. Bush on Prime Minister Ariel Sharon, who met at the Bush's Texas ranch last week.
The American government is pushing for Israel to make more concessions to build up Arab confidence in the PA administration, which is under a growing threat by terror groups to escalate violence against Israel. The US also is insisting that the PA cooperate with Israel and has summoned PA Finance Minister Salem Fayyad to Washington for talks Sunday. The American government is pressuring the PA to show signs it is controlling terror so that it can demand Israel turn over more cities to PA control.
Bush's special Middle East envoys Elliott Abrams and David Walsh are on their way to Israel to speak Prime Minister Sharon early this week in an attempt to shore up support for PA chairman Abu Mazen (Mahmoud Abbas). Terrorist organizations Saturday threatened to renew terror if the PA delays parliamentary elections scheduled for July 17, several days before the scheduled expulsion of more than 8,000 Jews from northern Samaria and Gaza.
Abu Mazen Saturday night promised the elections will be held on time but several PA officials said it will be difficult to campaign while Israel gears up to overcome increasing complications in the retreat. Hamas terrorists accused Abu Mazen of looking for an excuse to delay the vote because of fear that his ruling Fatah party will lose control to Hamas in the election.
The United States also has become more involved in the effort to build up the PA economy. US President Bush last week appointed outgoing International Monetary Fund (IMF) president James Wolfensohn as special liaison to coordinate the disengagement with the PA and oversee projects to boost the economy.
Bush has invited Abu Mazen for talks in Washington May 1st, and expects the PA chairman to prove that he is curtailing terror.
Renewal of discussions is planned Sunday or Monday between government advisor Dov Weissglas and PA Minister Saab Erakat following pressure by US President George W. Bush on Prime Minister Ariel Sharon, who met at the Bush's Texas ranch last week.
The American government is pushing for Israel to make more concessions to build up Arab confidence in the PA administration, which is under a growing threat by terror groups to escalate violence against Israel. The US also is insisting that the PA cooperate with Israel and has summoned PA Finance Minister Salem Fayyad to Washington for talks Sunday. The American government is pressuring the PA to show signs it is controlling terror so that it can demand Israel turn over more cities to PA control.
Bush's special Middle East envoys Elliott Abrams and David Walsh are on their way to Israel to speak Prime Minister Sharon early this week in an attempt to shore up support for PA chairman Abu Mazen (Mahmoud Abbas). Terrorist organizations Saturday threatened to renew terror if the PA delays parliamentary elections scheduled for July 17, several days before the scheduled expulsion of more than 8,000 Jews from northern Samaria and Gaza.
Abu Mazen Saturday night promised the elections will be held on time but several PA officials said it will be difficult to campaign while Israel gears up to overcome increasing complications in the retreat. Hamas terrorists accused Abu Mazen of looking for an excuse to delay the vote because of fear that his ruling Fatah party will lose control to Hamas in the election.
The United States also has become more involved in the effort to build up the PA economy. US President Bush last week appointed outgoing International Monetary Fund (IMF) president James Wolfensohn as special liaison to coordinate the disengagement with the PA and oversee projects to boost the economy.
Bush has invited Abu Mazen for talks in Washington May 1st, and expects the PA chairman to prove that he is curtailing terror.