Palestinians attack al-Jazeera 'distorted' talks leaks

East Jerusalem has been a major sticking point in the peace process

Palestinian officials have accused al-Jazeera network of distortion, after it leaked documents purporting to show offers of major concessions to Israel.

President Mahmoud Abbas said the leaks had deliberately confused Palestinian and Israeli positions in talks.

The documents suggest the Palestinians agreed to Israel keeping large parts of illegally occupied East Jerusalem - an offer Israel apparently rejected.

The BBC has been unable to verify the documents independently.

Al-Jazeera says it has 16,076 confidential records of meetings, e-mails, communications between Palestinian, Israeli and US leaders, covering the years 2000-2010.

The Palestinians are reported to have proposed an international committee to take over Islamic holy sites in Jerusalem, and limiting the number of returning refugees to 100,000 over 10 years.

The papers are believed to have leaked from the Palestinian side.

Mr Abbas, who is due to hold talks on the Middle East peace process on Monday with Egyptian President Hosni Mubarak, said peace talks had been carried out openly, and his fellow Arab leaders were aware of their contents.

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“Start Quote

What is intended is a mix-up - I have seen them yesterday present things as Palestinian but they were Israeli... this is therefore intentional”

End Quote Mahmoud Abbas Palestinian Authority President

"What is intended is a mix-up. I have seen them yesterday present things as Palestinian but they were Israeli... this is therefore intentional," he said in Cairo, in remarks quoted by Reuters news agency.

Meanwhile, a spokesman for the Palestinian Authority, Yasser Abed Rabbo, refused to be drawn on whether the documents were authentic or not.

"Today al-Jazeera has published what it says are documents it obtained from the PLO's negotiations directorate," he said.

"We are not going to discuss the authenticity or lack of authenticity of these documents."

BBC Middle East editor Jeremy Bowen says the Palestinians' reaction is testimony to the potential damage the contents of the leaked documents could do to Mr Abbas and his team.

The Palestinian Authority will now have to convince Palestinians that it has acted in their best interests, he says, especially as many will be see the contents of the documents as another humiliation.

A spokesman for the Hamas militant movement, which controls the Gaza Strip and rivals Mr Abbas's Fatah movement, said the documents revealed the "ugly face of the authority, and the level of its co-operation with the occupation".

They show "the level of the Fatah authority's [sic] involvement in attempts to liquidate the Palestinian cause, particularly on the issue of Jerusalem and refugees, and its involvement against the resistance in the West Bank and Gaza Strip", Sami Abu Zuhri said, in remarks quoted by AFP news agency.

Current peace talks between Israel and the Palestinians have been suspended for months, ostensibly over Israel's refusal to stop building Jewish settlements on occupied Palestinian land.

'Biggest Jerusalem'

Among the leaked papers, the alleged offers relating to East Jerusalem are the most controversial, as the issue has been a huge stumbling block in Mid-East talks and both Israelis and Palestinians claim Jerusalem as their capital.

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Analysis

Paul Danahar BBC Middle East bureau chief

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A key question is who gains from the leak? There isn't much here that will shock anyone with private knowledge of the peace process. But the average Palestinian may feel betrayed because their leadership has been telling them a different story.

The Americans don't gain much. The Israelis look churlish for turning down major concessions.

These documents haven't been found in a wastepaper bin. So the most likely source is a Palestinian rival who wants to damage the leadership of President Mahmoud Abbas.

Mr Abbas has not been directly quoted in these documents so far, and being at arms length may allow him to distance himself from the fallout.

Israel has occupied the West Bank, including East Jerusalem, since 1967, establishing close to 500,000 Jews in more than 100 settlements.

According to al-Jazeera, in May 2008 Ahmed Qurei, the lead Palestinian negotiator at the time, proposed that Israel annex all Jewish settlements in East Jerusalem except Har Homa (Jabal Abu Ghneim), in a bid to reach a final deal.

"This is the first time in history that we make such a proposition," he reportedly said, pointing out that this was a bigger concession than that made at Camp David talks in 2000.

"We are offering you the biggest Yerushalayim in Jewish history," negotiator Saeb Erekat was quoted as saying, using the Hebrew word for Jerusalem.

Palestinian Liberation Organisation (PLO) leaders also privately suggested swapping part of the flashpoint East Jerusalem Arab neighbourhood of Sheikh Jarrah for land elsewhere, according to the leaks.

In addition, Palestinian negotiators are said to have proposed an international committee to take over Jerusalem's Temple Mount, which houses the Dome of the Rock and al-Aqsa Mosque - Islam's third holiest site.

And they were reported to be willing to discuss limiting the number of Palestinian refugees returning to 100,000 over 10 years.

The leaks also purport to show that Palestinian leaders had been "privately tipped off" about Israel's 2008-2009 war in Gaza, a claim Mr Abbas has denied in the past.

US 'bias?'

These highly sensitive issues have previously been non-negotiable.

The Israelis apparently rejected the concessions.

But without confirming the veracity of the reports, Israeli government spokesman Mark Regev said the then Israeli Prime Minister Ehud Olmert had also made concessions which were rejected by the Palestinians.

"He put an offer on the table which called for splitting Jerusalem, he put an offer on the table with territorial swaps which gave, practically, the Palestinians 100% of all territory, and they nevertheless refused him," he told BBC Radio 4's Today programme.

"That's what Prime Minister Olmert has said publicly and that's what's published today in one of these purported documents."

Also the reportedly curt dismissals by some US politicians of Palestinian pleas do not fit with the message of even-handedness that President Barack Obama tried to put across in his 2009 Cairo speech, says the BBC's Jonny Dymond in Washington.

The Palestinian ambassador to the UK, Manuel Hassassian, said that if confirmed, the documents would show that "major concessions" had been offered.

"But I think we need to see this in context," he told the BBC World Service's World Today programme.

"What was Israel willing to give in return to these concessions? Nobody talks about the other side."

Ivory Coast cocoa exports 'banned' by Alassane Ouattara

Ivory Coast's farmers provide a third of the world's supply of cocoa

The internationally recognised president of Ivory Coast, Alassane Ouattara, has called for a month-long ban on cocoa exports.

Ivory Coast is the world's largest cocoa producer and it is a key source of revenue for Laurent Gbagbo, who refuses to cede power.

The price of cocoa - already up 14% since November's disputed election - rose about 7% when trading resumed.

Meanwhile, Nigeria has urged the UN to authorise force to oust Mr Gbagbo.

Nigerian Foreign Minister Odein Ajumogobia wrote an editorial published by several local newspapers saying the UN Security Council should pass a resolution to give legitimacy to previous West African threats to send troops to Ivory Coast.

He did, however, stress this would be a "last resort".

Experts say some West African countries would be reluctant to use armed force against Mr Gbagbo.

Mr Ouattara has previously said special forces should remove Mr Gbagbo from the presidential palace but he is also trying to use financial pressure to force him out.

On Saturday, one of Mr Gbagbo's allies was forced to resign as head of the Central Bank of West African States - which manages the currency of eight West African countries, including Ivory Coast.

'Pandemonium'

But it is not clear how far Mr Ouattara's call for a cocoa export ban will be heeded.

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Those who think that Ivory Coast will be isolated are those who think that [we] have no choice but to operate with them”

End Quote Ahoua Don Mello Laurent Gbagbo spokesman

• Could Ivory Coast turmoil make chocolate more expensive?

"We are getting on with things as usual," the director of an Abidjan-based export firm told the Reuters news agency.

The BBC's John James in the main city Abidjan, says the announcement is causing pandemonium in the international cocoa industry.

Although Mr Ouattara does not control any security forces there who could enforce the ban on the city's ports, our reporter says the call may have some effect with major players in the world cocoa industry.

They will be worried about losing their licences if Mr Ouattara does ever come to power, he says.

And global companies could be concerned about their international reputations if they are seen to be dealing with an administration seen as illegitimate by the world community, he says.

The European Cocoa Association and Federation of Cocoa Commerce said they had not yet decided what action to take.

"We have received communications in relation to the conduct of the cocoa business in Cote d'Ivoire [Ivory Coast] to which we are in the process of responding in order to seek further clarification for our members," they said in a joint statement.

"As can be expected in these circumstances, the trade issues involved in this respect are of a highly sensitive nature and will take time to resolve," they said.

Reuters news agency reports that cocoa prices rose by 7% to reach a six-month high of $3,616 (£2,269) on the Liffe futures exchange when trade opened on Monday.

Ivory Coast produces about a third of the world's cocoa.

The European Union, US and West African states have already adopted various financial sanctions against Gbagbo and his closest allies.

But Mr Gbagbo's allies say any attempts to deprive it of cash are futile.

Spokesman Ahoua Don Mello told journalists: "Isolation cannot work... Those who think that Ivory Coast will be isolated are those who think that [we] have no choice but to operate with them."

Two bomb blasts strike pilgrims in Iraq city of Karbala

Strict security measures are in place for the Karbala pilgrimage

Two separate car bomb attacks targeting Shia pilgrims in the Iraqi city of Karbala have killed 25 people and injured almost 70, officials say.

The first blast killed seven people and injured 18 at a terminal filled with buses carrying pilgrims to Karbala.

Hours later, another blast on the southern outskirts of the holy city left 18 people dead and 50 injured.

Last week, three suicide bombers killed 56 people and wounded 180 others along pilgrim routes to the city.

Also on Monday, two roadside bombs exploded in the capital, Baghdad.

The first bomb killed an Iraqi army intelligence officer and his driver, while at least eight passers-by were injured in the second blast.

The Karbala attacks came as millions of Shia pilgrims gathered in the city to mark the end of Arbaeen, a 40-day mourning period for the death of one of the Shia sect's most revered figures, Imam Hussein, in a 7th-Century battle.

During the holy period, police have imposed a vehicle ban in Karbala, some 55 miles (90km) south of Baghdad, so pilgrims are dropped off at car parks and walk in.

The first bomb exploded at a bus terminal at the al-Ibrahimi area, 12.5 miles (20km) east of the city, according to a provincial chief quoted by AFP.

More than four hours later, a second car bomb struck pilgrims some 9 miles (15km) south of the city.

The BBC's Jim Muir, in Baghdad, says the authorities were well aware of the dangers, as previous pilgrimages have been attacked.

Strict security measures are in place, but protecting vast numbers of people travelling on foot over large areas has proven exceptionally difficult, our correspondent says.

Lebanon's Mikati submits candidacy for premier

Mikati steps forward as consensual candidate, would cooperate with all Lebanese parties to avert political crisis.

Middle East Online

'An opportunity to restore contacts among (rival) leaders' BEIRUT - Former prime minister Najib Mikati has announced his candidacy in the fierce battle between rival parties in Lebanon as to who should head the country's next government. Mikati, a telecoms tycoon, said in a statement late Sunday that he was coming forward as a consensual candidate and would cooperate with all parties with a view to bringing the country out of its deep political crisis. "I don’t view my candidacy as a challenge to anyone but rather as an opportunity to restore contacts among (rival) leaders," his statement said. But members of caretaker Prime Minister Saad Hariri's coalition said they viewed Mikati's candidacy as "treason" given that he was elected to parliament as a member of Hariri's coalition. "This is treason, he is back-stabbing Hariri," MP Oqab Sakr told Lebanese radio. Mikati's announcement came hours before President Michel Sleiman was to launch consultations with parliamentary groups Monday on appointing a new premier after the powerful Hezbollah brought down Hariri's unity government earlier this month. The Western-backed Hariri has been locked in a months-long standoff with Hezbollah, backed by Syria and Iran, over a UN probe into the 2005 assassination of ex-premier Rafiq Hariri, Saad's father. Mikati served as premier for three months in 2005 after Syria was forced to withdraw its troops from Lebanon following Hariri's assassination.

Kuwait MPs aim to quiz minister on 'torture' death

Three Kuwaiti opposition MPs’ filed request contends Interior Minister was politically responsible for tortured man’s death.

Middle East Online

The probe panel has already referred six policemen to the public prosecution KUWAIT CITY - Three Kuwaiti opposition MPs on Monday filed to question the interior minister in parliament over the death of a man in a police station allegedly as a result of severe torture. The request, filed by Waleed al-Tabtabai, Shuaib al-Muwaizri and Salem al-Namlan, contends that Interior Minister Sheikh Jaber Khaled al-Sabah was politically responsible for the man's death. The three MPs said they filed to question the minister because of the "death of a citizen under (police) torture, misleading the public and misuse of authority," according to the request. Sheikh Jaber, a member of the ruling family, submitted his resignation on January 13 over the affair but the cabinet asked him to stay in his post and follow investigations into the case. Mohammed Ghazzai al-Mutairi, 35, was found dead when he arrived at the hospital of the southern oil-rich city of Ahmadi from a nearby police station in the early hours of January 11. The next day, the interior minister told parliament the man had died after complaining of chest pain and having resisted police when arrested on suspicion of trading in alcohol, which is banned in this conservative Muslim state. But Sheikh Jaber and the interior ministry both retracted earlier statements, acknowledging there was a criminal suspicion behind the death of Mutairi, and formed a high-level probe at the ministry. The probe panel has already referred six policemen to the public prosecution on suspicion of having tortured the man to death. A separate parliamentary panel formed to investigate the case was scheduled to present its findings to parliament on Monday. Several MPs have alleged that torture in Kuwaiti police stations is widespread, adding they will propose that parliament forms a new committee to review allegations of police abuse.

Yemen frees pro-Tunisia uprising journalist

Tawakel Karman granted parole with commitment from her family she will no longer offend public order, law.

Middle East Online

Karman was involved in support protests for Tunisia's uprising SANAA - Yemen granted parole on Monday to a female political activist and journalist detained over the weekend on charges of inciting disorder, a judicial source said. Tawakel Karman was "released with a commitment from her family that she will no longer offend public order and law," the judicial source said on condition of anonymity. Karman, who was involved in support protests for Tunisia's uprising at which calls were raised for political change in Yemen, heads a rights group, Women Journalists Without Chains. Yemeni police arrested Karman in a main street of Sanaa as she headed home with her husband late on Saturday, according to rights activists. She was accused of organising "unauthorised gatherings and marches and inciting riots and disorder," the defence ministry's news website 26sep.net reported. Mohammed Qobati, a spokesman for Yemen's parliamentary opposition, on Sunday described Karman's arrest as "a criminal offence and an immoral act." Karman, a senior member of the opposition Islamist Al-Islah (Reform) party, has been involved in Sanaa demonstrations in support of the revolt in Tunisia that ousted its leader, Zine El Abidine Ben Ali. Around 200 journalists marched in Sanaa on Sunday to demand the release of Karman and other detainees, and her arrest was condemned by both Yemeni and international rights groups. On Saturday, hundreds of Sanaa University students held rival demonstrations on campus, for and against Yemen's veteran President Ali Abdullah Saleh, who has been in power for decades and was re-elected in September 2006. A draft amendment of the Yemeni constitution, under discussion in parliament despite opposition protests, could further stretch his tenure by allowing a life-long mandate.

HRW: 'Widespread' discrimination of Copts in Egypt

Human Rights Watch accuses Egypt of suppressing political dissent in 2010, dispersing demonstrations, harassing rights activists detaining journalists, bloggers, Muslim Brotherhood members.

Middle East Online

HRW's report also highlighted Egyptian security heavy-handedness BRUSSELS - The US-based Human Rights Watch (HRW) accused Egypt of "widespread discrimination" against its Christian and other religious minorities in its annual report for 2010 released on Monday, which also highlights repression of political dissent. "Although Egypt's constitution provides for equal rights without regard to religion, there is widespread discrimination against Egyptian Christians, as well as official intolerance of heterodox Muslim sects," HRW said. Egypt's Christians, who make up around 10 percent of the 80-million population, complain of systematic discrimination and exclusion from high-level public posts. Coptic Christians have been the target of several attacks and say the government has failed to acknowledge and deal with the country's sectarian problem. On New Year's day, more than 20 people were killed in an attack on a church in the Mediterranean city of Alexandria, one year after six Copts and a Muslim policeman were gunned down in a Christmas attack. Egyptian President Hosni Mubarak has fiercely rejected Western calls for the protection of Egypt's Christian minority as an interference in domestic affairs. "I say to those, some from friendly countries, who call for the protection of Copts of Egypt, I say to them that the time for foreign protection and tutelage is gone, and will not return. "We will not accept any pressure or interference in Egypt's affairs," he said in a speech on Sunday to mark Police Day. HRW's report also highlighted Egyptian security heavy-handedness. "Egypt continued to suppress political dissent in 2010, dispersing demonstrations; harassing rights activists; and detaining journalists, bloggers and Muslim Brotherhood members," the group said. Cairo has repeatedly been criticised for failing to lift its decades-old emergency law which gives police wide powers of arrest, suspends constitutional rights and curbs non-governmental political activity. "The government continues to refuse to disclose the number of persons detained under the emergency law, but Egyptian human rights organisations estimate the number at around 5,000," HRW said. Egypt's treatment of refugees and migrants "deteriorated further" in 2010, according to the report, highlighting the use of lethal force against migrants attempting to cross into Israel. An Egyptian security official said over 30 migrants had been killed on the border in 2010. The Israel-Egypt border has become a major transit route for economic migrants, asylum-seekers and drug smugglers, and Israel has urged Egypt to clamp down on the traffic.