Israel vows not to block Palestinian elections

ISRAELI leaders told US Secretary of State Colin Powell yesterday that they will do their utmost to allow Palestinian elections to take place, including easing travel restrictions in the West Bank and Gaza Strip.

In a sign of improving ties after four years of fighting, Israeli officials also said they are willing to renew talks with the Palestinians on some issues, including security, and to co-ordinate the aftermath of Israel's planned withdrawal from Gaza and parts of the West Bank in 2005.

Israel had refused to negotiate with Palestinian leader Yasser Arafat. Arafat's death on November 11 provided a "moment of opportunity that should not be lost", Powell said. He told Israel Prime Minister Ariel Sharon and Foreign Minister Silvan Shalom that the US wants to seize the moment and to make sure Palestinian presidential elections are held on January 9, as planned.

Later, Powell met with Palestinian officials in the West Bank town of Jericho and visited a voter registration office there. Palestinian officials asked Powell to ensure Israel withdraws troops from West Bank population centres ahead of the elections. They said he did not pass along any specific Israeli commitments regarding the vote.

Shalom said it is in Israel's interest to see the Palestinian elections go forward.

"The first priority is the Palestinian election which will hopefully bring about a Palestinian leadership with whom we can sit down and address all the issues on our agenda," he said after a meeting with Powell.

"I have reassured the secretary today that Israel will do everything in its power to ensure their smooth running," he said.

Shalom did not say whether Israel would pull back troops. However, he said that the Palestinians would have "freedom of movement" in the run-up to the elections. He said Israel would co-ordinate the arrangements with the Palestinians but would not compromise on security.

An Israeli official said Shalom also told Powell that Israel is willing to resume talks with the Palestinians on some issues, including security.

Israel re-occupied West Bank towns during a 2002 military offensive aimed at halting Palestinian suicide bombings in Israel. Troops have since withdrawn from some areas, but continue to enforce travel restrictions. Palestinians say they need freedom of movement for the vote.

Powell said yesterday the US will do what it can to ensure peaceful elections.

Palestinian Cabinet minister Saeb Erekat said Powell told Palestinian leaders that "the United States will stand shoulder to shoulder with us to have free elections."

Powell reiterated the Palestinians must rein in militants.

The interim Palestinian leader, Mahmoud Abbas, is trying to persuade militant groups, including Hamas and Islamic Jihad, to halt violence during the election campaign, but it is not clear whether they will agree to a truce.

Powell said Israel and the Palestinians must renew their commitments in the US-backed "road map" peace plan, which was launched in June 2003 but never got off the ground.

The peace plan initially envisioned the establishment of a Palestinian state by 2005, but US President George W Bush said he'd be pushing for Palestinian statehood in the next four years.