Document: The letter Barak's private lawyer and spinmasters forgot Aaron Lerner Date: 7 September, 2000 Prime Minister Ehud Barak's private lawyer, Gilead Sher, who serves as Israel's top negotiator with the Palestinians, explained this morning via Israel Radio that agreement does not have to be reached with the Palestinians on the final status of Jerusalem for Israel to give the Palestinians what it offered (One Israel MK Collette Avital noted on Israel Radio this morning that the offer includes Palestinian sovereignty in the Palestinians neighborhoods in eastern Jerusalem outside of the walled city and Palestinain autonomy within the walls) as long as the Palestinians declare that the conflict is over. For some reason, Attorney Sher apparently is not aware of the very first document associated with Oslo, repeated below. The late Prime Minister Yitzhak Rabin required this declaration as a prerequisite to Oslo. Please note that the following letter is NOT A PARODY. LETTER FROM YASSER ARAFAT TO PRIME MINISTER RABIN: September 9, 1993 Yitzhak Rabin Prime Minister of Israel Mr. Prime Minister, The signing of the Declaration of Principles marks a new era in the history of the Middle East. In firm conviction thereof, I would like to confirm the following PLO commitments: The PLO recognizes the right of the State of Israel to exist in peace and security. The PLO accepts United Nations Security Council Resolutions 242 and 338. The PLO commits itself to the Middle East peace process, and to a peaceful resolution of the conflict between the two sides and declares that all outstanding issues relating to permanent status will be resolved through negotiations. The PLO considers that the signing of the Declaration of Principles constitutes a historic event, inaugurating a new epoch of peaceful coexistence, free from violence and all other acts which endanger peace and stability. Accordingly, the PLO renounces the use of terrorism and other acts of violence and will assume responsibility over all PLO elements and personnel in order to assure their compliance, prevent violations and discipline violators In view of the promise of a new era and the signing of the Declaration of Principles and based on Palestinian acceptance of Security Council Resolutions 242 and 338, the PLO affirms that those articles of the Palestinian Covenant which deny Israel's right to exist, and the provisions of the Covenant which are inconsistent with the commitments of this letter are now inoperative and no longer valid. Consequently, the PLO undertakes to submit to the Palestinian National Council for formal approval the necessary changes in regard to the Palestinian Covenant. Sincerely, Yasser Arafat The Palestine Liberation Organization +++ Dr. Aaron Lerner, Director IMRA (Independent Media Review & Analysis) (mail POB 982 Kfar Sava) Tel 972-9-7604719/Fax 972-3-548-0092 INTERNET ADDRESS: imra@netvision.net.il pager 03-6750750 subscriber 4811 Website: http://www.imra.org.il