Summary of Press Conference by Secretary-General Kofi Annan and President of the Palestinian Authority Yasser Arafat, (unofficial transcript)

SG: Good Evening Ladies and Gentlemen. Let me, on behalf of President Arafat and myself, apologize for keeping you up so late. We have been in very constructive and long discussions. I have been personally very pleased with the talks in Taba, the progress that has been made, the spirit in which the talks were conducted and I think we now have something really to build on. I have been in touch with both parties throughout the process, throughout the talks in Taba. I've been on the phone with (Israeli Prime Minister) Barak today and of course I've had a long talk with President Arafat. We are very happy to be able to meet you this evening. I would hope that the international community working with the parties would be albe to build on what has been done in Taba soon after both sides realize how close they are that even though there are differences, they are bridgeable, and hopefully this could be done.

Arafat: Happy with meeting with you especially after the important meetings I had today. [inaudible]. I would like to reiterate once again the peace process. We strive to achieve a comprehensive just and lasting peace, not only between the Palestinians and Israelis but for the people of the region as a whole. I don't want to undermine the various meetings between the two sides, including Sharm el-Sheikh, which was convened under the auspices of Egyptian President Hosni Mubarak and attended by [inaudible]. You should keep in mind that we have been holding various negotiating sessions. And we are committed to continuing to do so. We have come a long way. (He recounted the various agreements signed with Israel). I would like to express my deepest appreciation for the Secretary-General for the efforts he is exerting to preserve and safeguard the peace process in his intensive deliberations with me and Prime Minister Barak. (He touched on all the difficulties the Palestinian people have been facing.) Despite all the difficulties the Palestinian people have been facing, we reiterate our commitment to pursue peacemaking and the peace process. We really appreciate the effort of the Secretary-General.

Q: Would you meet with Barak before the elections? (The second question pertained to Arafat's speech at the World Economic Forum).

Arafat: I'm not the one creating the stories of the Israeli army using uranium. There are international reports. If the meeting is necessary, why not? I had expected to see him here in Davos.

SG: We should look forward. We had a positive and constructive discussion [on] Taba. I think we are determined and should be determined to build on that and look forward to the future. The parties came together because there is conflict. They are seeking peace because of conflict. They can only end the [inaudible] through dialogue and negotiations.

Q: Suspended negotiations until after the elections? Arafat: I think this is the sole decision of Mr Barak. He's a man who makes his own decisions.

SG: I would hope that the statement is relative. I mean the parties have been in sustained negotiations in Taba that was suspended only yesterday. I would hope that what Mr. Barak is saying is that sustained efforts will be suspended until after the elections and that does not mean that other contacts and other efforts would stop. I would hope so.

Q: Will negotiations continue if Sharon becomes Prime Minister?

Arafat: We make peace with the Israeli Government? [Inaudible question and answer]

Q: What made you so angry today?

Arafat: I wasn't angry. Ask Barak why he was angry. The Palestinian people have been suffering for the last four months. I am stating in front of you that in the last four months, thousands of Palestinian families have been unable to get bread on their families' tables, aside from the continuous military escalation on a daily basis. (He referred to the report by the High Commissioner for Human Rights.) We don't want a breakdown in the peace process. We will continue the peace process in spite of the difficulties we are facing.

Q: What did Barak say when you telephoned him?

SG: Like all of us he is encouraged by what happened in Taba. He also felt some of the things said in Davos were not conducive to the peace process. But I indicated that if one listens to the entire tape of what Chairman Arafat said perhaps it wasn't all that negative. In my long discussions with Chairman Arafat and was assured that he was encouraged by what happened in Taba and would want to pursue it, noting whatever we can to capture what was agreed in Taba and come back for negotiations as soon as possible after the elections and continue the discussions. The international community should support that, and encourage the parties to move forward.

Q: Progress in Taba?

Arafat: We have no right to go beyond what was agreed between the parties yesterday.

Q: A question on closing file on animosity?

Arafat: Did I send my tanks to besiege Israeli towns? Did I send my gunships to fire missiles at Israeli towns? Did I send my artillery? Am I using internationally forbidden weapons, including uranium? `Despite all of this I have never stopped or prevented any negotiating session or contacts between us and the Israelis in the last four months.'

SG: Before we break, I think we all have to accept there are peace talks because there is conflict. There are peace talks because that is the only way to resolve the [inaudible]. Now that we are moving forward, I would urge that we all dwell on the positive and build on it, rather than focus on some of the negative aspects. I can assure you that in my long conversation with the Chairman and the parties they are determined to go ahead and we want you to help us, encourage us through reporting and editorials to push us in the right direction. Thank you very much. *****