Haniyeh on proposed Abbas-Khaled Mashaal meeting in Cairo, EU involvement
(27 Apr 2007) SHOTLIST 1. Wide of mosque 2. Palestinian Prime Minister Ismail Haniyeh arriving at mosque 3. Haniyeh walking into mosque 4. Mid of Haniyeh standing in front of microphones outside mosque 5. SOUNDBITE (Arabic) Ismail Haniyeh, Palestinian Prime Minister: "It is normal for there to be a Palestinian-Palestinian dialogue on the level of leaders. We have made the Mecca agreement and we are determined to cement that agreement. We want to push forward on dossiers which are still remaining, like the PLO, cooperation (in the unity government between the various factions), and to consider our internal relations, to move forwards instead of backwards. I hope this dialogue will be successful and beneficial for the Palestinian people." 6. Cameramen awaiting Haniyeh outside mosque 7. SOUNDBITE (Arabic) Ismail Haniyeh, Palestinian Prime Minister: "The European Union has taken positive steps towards breaking the political and economic embargo on the Palestinian government and the Palestinian people, but the Palestinians and the government are still waiting for a strong, clear movement from the Europeans that reflects their respect of the choices of the Palestinian people. The national unity government reflects the will of the Palestinian people." 8. Haniyeh leaving 9. Mosque tower STORYLINE: The exiled supreme leader of Hamas, Khaled Mashaal, was expected to meet Palestinian President Mahmoud Abbas later on Friday in the Egyptian capital Cairo, the Palestinian Prime Minister confirmed on Friday. Ismail Haniyeh said the meeting was aimed at strengthening the Mecca agreement and the restructuring of the Palestinian Liberation Organisation (PLO). "It is normal for there to be a Palestinian-Palestinian dialogue on the level of leaders. We have made the Mecca agreement and we are determined to cement that agreement," Haniyeh told reporters after Friday prayers in Gaza. "We want to push forward on dossiers which are still remaining, like the PLO, cooperation, and to consider our internal relations, to move forwards instead of backwards," Haniyeh added. The meeting between Abbas and Mashaal is to discuss the latest progress achieved in relation to the Mecca agreement, lifting the siege imposed on the Palestinian people, and the restructuring of the Palestinian Liberation Organisation (PLO). The PLO - the umbrella group which is separate from the government - is the one that is authorised to conduct negotiations with Israel. Hamas has been pressing to acquire the post of deputy chairman of the PLO. The two Palestinian leaders will also discuss the outcome of Abbas' just-finished European tour which aimed to win international support for the Palestinian coalition deal signed in Mecca in February, which falls short of demands that any Palestinian government recognise Israel and renounce violence. The Mecca deal says the coalition would "respect" all agreements signed by the PLO, including those with Israel, but does not specifically recognise Israel's right to exist, the main sticking point to the Palestinian government's acceptance by the west and Israel. "The European Union has taken positive steps towards breaking the political and economic embargo on the Palestinian government and the Palestinian people, but the Palestinians and the government are still waiting for a strong, clear movement from the Europeans that reflects their respect of the choices of the Palestinian people," said Haniyeh. "The national unity government reflects the will of the Palestinian people," he added. Find out more about AP Archive: http://www.aparchive.com/HowWeWork Twitter: / ap_archive Facebook: / aparchives Instagram: / apnews You can license this story through AP Archive: http://www.aparchive.com/metadata/you...
