Palestinian Authority President Mahmoud Abbas said last night that the renewal of negotiations "depends on a definition of the negotiating process."
His remarks came at end of his summit meeting with U.S. President Barack Obama and Israeli Prime Minister Benjamin Netanyahu in New York intended to jump-start talks between Israel and the Palestinians.
Abbas said "that means basing [the talks] on recognizing the need to withdraw to the 1967 borders."
The Palestinian leader again called on Israel to fulfill its obligations, particularly that Israel completely stop construction in West Bank settlements, including accommodation of natural growth. He said the Palestinian Authority had advanced negotiations with the Olmert government, "when we defined the occupied territories as the West Bank, Gaza and Jerusalem."
He added the PA position was reiterated at the trilateral summit meeting yesterday and in the Palestinian leader's separate meeting with Obama.
Abbas said his words represented the Palestinian position before the summit and remained their official position .
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