Veteran PA senior negotiator Dr. Saeb Erekat, a longtime associate of Yasser Arafat, announced on Tuesday that while the PA (Palestinian Authority) remains interested in peace and committed to the process, it will not be achieved �at any cost�, emphasizing the PA position, that the international community must exert increased pressure on Israel.

Erekat, like PA Chairman Mahmoud Abbas (Abu Mazen), is deemed a moderate, perhaps the suit and tie, but in essence, he and Abu Mazen have a focused agenda, one that demands Israel retreat unilaterally from areas liberated in 1967, and that much of Yerushalayim serve as the capital of a Palestinian state.

While Jerusalem remains uncertain as to Abu Mazen�s true intentions, officials continue to release statements exhibiting an air of optimism that negotiations between Israel and the PA will resume in the near future.

(Yechiel Spira � YWN Israel)