Official: PNA backs U.S. efforts to resume peace talks with Israel

RAMALLAH, Jan. 25 (Xinhua) -- Chief Palestinian negotiator Saeb Erekat revealed on Monday that the Palestinian National Authority (PNA) backs the exerted United States' efforts to resume the stalled peace talks with Israel.

Erekat told "Voice of Palestine" Radio that U.S. President Barack Obama and his peace envoy George Mitchell "are exerting serious efforts and want to see the peace talks with Israel resumed so soon, and we really back this position."

However, Erekat said that "the success of these efforts depends on the Israeli government's readiness to stop settlement activities and resume the talks from the point it had reached in December 2008."

The Palestinians insist that they won't resume any peace negotiations with the Israeli government of Prime Minister Benjamin Netanyahu, until Israel freezes all settlement activities, including the so called natural growth.

Erekat went on saying that the one who puts conditions for the resumption of peace talks "is Benjamin Netanyahu, where he refuses to stop settlement, and seeks to annul the file of Palestinian refugees."

"We believe that the United States can play an important role in dropping these conditions of Netanyahu, end the Israeli occupation of the Palestinian territories and help establishing an independent Palestinian state," said Erekat.

Asked about Palestinian President Mahmoud Abbas' tour in Russia, Britain and Germany this week, Erekat said that Abbas will meet the leaders of these countries and brief them on the current situation in the region.

"President Abbas will focus in his talks in Germany, Russia and Britain on one point which is obliging Israel to implement its commitments came in the Roadmap plan and stop settlement activities," said Erekat.