The Palestine Liberation Organization's Central Council (PLOCC) is to meet before the end of August to re-examine the proclamation of an independent state, it was announced Saturday.
"The presidency of the PLOCC has made contacts with the Palestinian political forces to inform them of latest developments prior to the holding a new session at the end of August before the end of the interim period on September 13th," said a communiqué from the Palestinian leaders who met in Ramallah under the chairmanship of Yasser Arafat.
The PLOCC had decided July 3rd to declare independence on September 13th with or without a peace agreement with Israel.
Israel and the United States oppose such a proclamation.
Israeli interim Foreign Minister Shlomo Ben Ami warned Saturday in Madrid that the declaration of a Palestinian state on September 13th would be "extremely detrimental" to the Middle East peace process.
The meeting decided to continue the diplomatic campaign to explain the Palestinian positions after the failure of the Israeli-Palestinian Camp David summit held July 11th-25th due mainly to deep differences over Jerusalem.
Palestinian President Yasser Arafat is to continue his tour with visits to China, Japan and India and other friendly countries, the communiqué said without giving dates -- RAMALLAH, West Bank (AFP)
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