IN THE September 22 issue of Palestine Report Online, PR published an exclusive interview with analyst Khalil Shikaki outlining the circumstances and details of the Abu Mazen-Beilin document, a draft final status agreement.

While Shikaki acknowledged Mahmoud Abbas' (Abu Mazen's) denials that he ever signed nor agreed to this final document, in that interview Shikaki called for Abbas to step down from his position as overseer of the Palestinian side in final status talks. He argued that Abbas' involvement validates this document, whether Abbas had previously agreed to it or not. The following is the translation of a letter, published in the Arabic press, denying the existence of the Abu Mazen-Beilin document.

Executive committee member and head of refugee affairs Dr. Asa'ad Abdel Rahman has announced that he received a letter from Mahmoud Abbas (Abu Mazen) that refutes allegations on the Abu Mazen-Beilin document regarding refugees, an especially important issue on the eve of final status negotiations.

Following is the text of the letter, which was signed by Abu Mazen
on August 18, 1999:

Dear Dr. Assad Abdel Rahman,

Greetings,

A dialogue between experts from both the Palestinian and Israeli sides began concerning final status negotiations. I sat one time with Yossi Beilin and other experts from both sides. These experts all presented points that they had discussed or wished to discuss from among the final status issues.

At the end of the session, Mr. Beilin asked me if I would agree that [late prime minister] Rabin be informed about these talks, because until then he had not informed him [Rabin] of them since they were considered an exchange in perspective and opinions. When I agreed, he asked me if I would agree that he [Rabin] be told that I knew about the talks. I gave him my consent. We agreed that if Rabin agreed, the two groups of experts would meet again to follow up the talks.

A few days later Rabin was assassinated and the file was closed and the Labor Party entered the elections. Before the elections took place on 28/5/1996 we officially opened final status talks in Taba on 5/5/96. That was the only session we held, in hopes of resuming once the elections were over. However the Labor Party lost in the elections and this page of the book was closed, too.

Here I want to confirm that there was no agreement on any of the final status issues nor any other documents or agreements.

I wanted to clarify this to you once and for all and to anyone who says otherwise.

Signed,

Abu Mazen

Dr Abdel Rahman writes:

I read this letter/document to participants in my opening speech in a workshop in Bethlehem on final status negotiations for refugees. This was inevitable in order to assuage fear, on one hand, and to give the opportunity for active frustration-free participation, on the other. Translated from al Quds newspaper the week of September 11, 1999 by Joharah Baker. ©Palestine Report