Europe unveils plan for Mideast

Published 9:00 pm Saturday, February 9, 2002

Associated Press

CACERES, Spain — European Union foreign ministers on Saturday criticized U.S. Mideast policies and offered a blueprint for reviving peace talks that envisions the creation of a Palestinian state that would be recognized by Israel and admitted to the United Nations.

The United States balked at the broad EU ideas put forward, saying the emphasis should be on moving toward a cease-fire and pressing the Palestinians to crack down further on anti-Israeli militants.

There was no immediate reaction from Israel or the Palestinians to the EU’s guidelines. But they appeared likely to be rejected by Israeli Prime Minister Ariel Sharon, who has demanded a period of calm in Mideast violence before any negotiations resume.

The creation of a Palestinian state must be the "starting point of a negotiating process," French Foreign Minister Hubert Vedrine said as he presented outlines of the French initiative to his colleagues.

Under the blueprint, the Palestinians would hold elections, then a state would be declared, recognized by Israel and given membership in the United Nations. Negotiations for a final Mideast settlement would follow.

The broad ideas do not address some of the most fundamental and contentious issues, such as the borders of the Palestinian state.

Spanish Foreign Minister Josep Pique, the meeting’s chairman, said it would be developed further in another meeting on Feb. 18 and a mid-March European summit in Barcelona.

Vedrine outlined the following steps, but gave no timeline: