Palestinian president says he’s ready to swap land with Israel, but gaps remain on amount
By APSaturday, May 22, 2010
Abbas: no progress in indirect talks with Israel
RAMALLAH, West Bank — Palestinian President Mahmoud Abbas says he’s ready to swap some land with Israel but that gaps remain on how much territory is to be traded.
Abbas spoke Saturday after two rounds of indirect, U.S.-mediated peace talks with Israel.
Abbas said the first round dealt with borders and security arrangements between Israel and a Palestinian state. He said Israel asked a series of questions the Palestinians are now preparing to answer.
The Palestinian leader was asked about reports that he is willing to trade more land than in the past. Abbas only said that there is no agreement on the amount of land to be traded.
Israel wants to annex major Jewish settlements built on war-won land sought by the Palestinians.
