MIDDLE EAST: CAMP DAVID TALKS REACTIONS (V)
(21 Jul 2000) Voice and effects XFA VOICED BY: Phillippa Meagher An Israeli cabinet minister has revealed that Prime Minister Ehud Barak favours a U-S proposal enabling Israel and the Palestinians to share sovereignty over parts of Arab East Jerusalem. Michael Melchior, Diaspora minister and part of Barak's public relations team during the Camp David summit, made the announcement on Friday on his way to a mass prayer for peace at the Western Wall. Melchior's statement gives high-level credibility to rumours which had already leaked from Camp David, which is subject to a news blockout. VOICE-OVER: 0.02 Palestinians in Nablus showed their frustration at the pace of progress at the Camp David summit. 0.07 The U-S and Israeli flags were burned in a familiar ritual. 0.12 The Jerusalem issue is believed to be the stumbling block which has brought summit talks to the brink of collapse more than once this week. 0.22 These Palestinians are adamant that East Jerusalem should be the capital of a future Palestinian state. 0.28 Until now, Israel has always insisted it will never relinquish control over any part of the city. But on Friday there were signs of a possible deal. 0.38 SOUNDBITE: (English) "There is an American proposal which is a good basis for a compromise, which keeps Jerusalem under Israeli sovereignty, undivided Jerusalem, at the same gives wide administrative authority in some of the Palestinian outskirts of Jerusalem." SUPER CAPTION: Michael Melchior, Israeli Minister for the Diaspora 1.03 Both the Israeli and Palestinian leaders will have a tough time selling such a deal to their people when they return. For many Palestinians, it's a step too far. 1.13 SOUNDBITE: (English) "For them to maintain west Jerusalem and then try to confiscate or annex parts of east Jerusalem and then give us symbolic sovereignty over the suburbs of Jerusalem, this is not the approach at all that is workable." SUPER CAPTION: Hanan Ashwari, Palestinian negotiator 1.28 It will need all the prayers of East Jerusalem's rival faiths to achieve a smooth transition to peace. 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...
