Palestinians closer than ever to independence: veteran negotiator Erakat

JERICHO, West Bank, Sept 30 (AFP) - The peace process is in limbo and the terroritories divided, but veteran negotiator Saeb Erakat is convinced the Palestinians are closer than ever to realising their goal of independence.

"I am sure that peace will prevail, even if the worst is still to come," Erakat told AFP in an interview at his offices in the sleepy Jordan valley town of Jericho.

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Since the breakthrough Madrid peace conference in 1991, Erakat -- who has a doctorate in conflict resolution -- has been involved in four rounds of Israeli-Palestinian negotiations.

Elegantly-dressed and a fluent English speaker, Erakat has become one of the most recognisable spokesmen for the Palestinian cause for both the Western and Arabic media.

"The world is going to realise that the tanks, the assassinations and the orders will lead to nothing and that the only solution is the end to the Israeli occupation," said the 48-year-old academic.

For Erakat, who heads the negotiations department of the Palestine Liberation Organisation (PLO), says the latest peace plan -- known as the roadmap -- has more chance of success of leading to a resolution of the conflict.

But he also doubts whether the Israeli government led by the hawkish Ariel Sharon is really willing to see the blueprint enacted.

Erakat said Sharon would only apply the roadmap "if the Pope abolished Midnight Mass".

"It is clear that the goal of the Israeli government is to destroy the peace process and the Palestinian Authority as well as physically eliminate president (Yasser) Arafat," he added, referring to the veteran Palestinian leader.

With peace negotiations in total deadlock, Erakat, who is also a deputy for Jericho in the Palestinian Legislative Council, said he devotes most of his energies to talks with the United States, which is the principal sponsor of the roadmap that is also backed by the United Nations, European Union and Russia.

And while the Madrid process is today at "its lowest point", Erakat adds that "the distance that separates the Palestinians from their own state is shorter than ever."

He attributed his optimism to the fact that the roadmap, "unlike previous plans, has laid down as its objective an end to the occupation and the creation, by 2005, of an Palestinian state."

What's more, George W. Bush, "who is perhaps the American president closest to Israel, is speaking of an independent and sovereign Palestinian state and has called for an end to the occupation," Erakat added.

A photo showing Erakat taking the oath of office in front of Arafat as he joined the first Palestinian government in 1994 takes pride of place on the walls of Erakat's office.

The pair first met when Erakat went on a secret visit to Algeria in 1991 when Arafat was in exile. Since then, he has become a close confidant of the Palestinian leader, who named him as the head of the negotiating team in 1994.

"I deal with President Arafat in a professional manner and I carry out everything that he asks," he said.

The married father of four, who is at his desk by 8:00 am every day, said he yearns for a normal life but that duty calls.

"My life depends on my work," he said. "I would like to have a little more normality in my life but works prevents that."

ezz/co/al

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