NEWSWEEK: What is your impression of Ehud Barak?
ABU ALAA: Well, no doubt he’s a very intelligent man. He has the mentality of a good soldier who doesn’t put all his cards on the table. He listens carefully and he understands what you are saying.
How soon can talks begin on a permanent-status peace agreement?
We can start immediately, if Mr. Barak says that [Jewish] settlements [on the West Bank] are frozen and if he implements the Wye River peace agreement.
Will the Palestinians insist on the full implementation of the Wye River accords first?
There are maps and there are preparations. It can be implemented in two, three or five days.
During the campaign, Barak laid down four security “red lines” that he said were not negotiable. Jerusalem would remain united under Israeli sovereignty. There would be no non-Israeli military presence in the West Bank, most settlements there would remain under Israeli jurisdiction and there would be no return to Israel’s pre-1967 borders.
These are not acceptable. We can say 10 no’s, but what would be the result? If peace will have preconditions, then there will be no compromise.
What would become of the settlements under such a permanent peace agreement?
It’s an issue for the negotiations, and I cannot give any solution now. But it’s our position that they are illegal.
There have been no serious disturbances in the West Bank since last fall. Why ?
You cannot imagine how many efforts President Arafat has made to keep the streets quiet and maintain the security, and he intends to continue. [But] Palestinian people are frustrated.
They’re also frustrated over reports of rampant corruption in the Palestinian Authority.
A young institution like the Palestinian Authority makes mistakes. But there are exaggerations about corruption. If the peace process is work- ing, the situation will change. If not, the situation will be very bad.
What in your judgment will be the legacy of Benjamin Netanyahu?
It was no secret that he was against Oslo. His philosophy was “Let’s freeze the agreement, put it aside, let’s come to a [new] deal.” When it was refused, he started to work on a strategy of wasting time.
What expectations do you have of Barak?
Everything is in Barak’s hands. [Labor] is the party with which we signed the peace agreements, and they were implemented according to schedule. We expect Mr. Barak to follow the same [path] of Rabin and [former prime minister Shimon] Peres because he is from the same school.
So you’re feeling optimistic?
Yes. I am optimistic–but cautious.
