Fatah Sets 14 preconditions for resuming peace talks with Israel

             Fatah delegates meeting in Bethlehem Thursday resolved not to renew peace negotiations with Israel until all Palestinian prisoners are released from Israeli jails, all settlement-building is frozen and the Gaza blockade is lifted. Nabil Sha'ath, a Fatah Central Committee member, said these were some of the 14 preconditions for a resumption of peace talks. While the conditions are not binding on PA leader Mahmoud Abbas, they broadly accorded with the positions he set out in an address to the gathering on Tuesday. As the Fatah conference entered its third day Thursday, it became evident that three major camps were competing for control. The first camp consists of old-guard leaders such as Abbas, Ahmed Qurei, Ahmed Ghnaim and Saeb Erekat. The second, which represents the young guard of Fatah, is headed by Marwan Barghouti, Jamal Shobaki, Kadoura Fares and Muhammed Hourani. The third camp belongs to Muhammad Dahlan and his supporters, especially those living in Gaza. Nabil Sha'ath, a Fatah Central Committee said these were some of 14 preconditions for a resumption of peace talks. Analysts noted that the conditions are not binding on Palestinian Authority President Mahmoud Abbas, but also that they broadly accorded with the positions had Abbas had himself set out in an address to the gathering on Tuesday. Amid mounting tensions between rival camps, meanwhile, the Fatah delegates are scheduled to vote on Friday for new members of the faction's two most significant bodies, the Central Committee and the Revolutionary Council. (23,39)