From: Wassim Khazmo
Sent: Sunday, February 03, 2008 1:32 AM
To: CD; LPU
Cc: Maen Areikat (Hotmail); Andrew Kuhn (Compuserve)
Subject: OoP Morning Meeting
Importance: High

The President will be meeting with the Norwegian envoy to the Peace Process today.

I asked Dr. Rafiq on what happened during the President?s visit to Egypt. The President has heard re-assuring positions from Egypt regarding controlling Rafah crossing, and the need to abide by the Rafah agreement, as it preserve the political and economic unity between the West bank and Gaza. Dr. Rafiq is not very confident, however, on trusting every single word that the Egyptians are saying, especially when it comes to the relations with Hamas.

I have raised the issue of the PA position on keeping the Rafah agreement intact, and how that is not well understood from the street. People don?t understand why the PA insists on keeping this agreement, and they don?t understand the national dangers on ?disengaging? from Israel economically. For people, it?s quite awkward to be insisting on honoring the Rafah agreement, and they don?t quite see why it is crucial, not only for honoring the PA?s agreement, but also for the national interest in keeping the WB and Gaza political unity. Dr. Rafiq agrees that we need to explain more to the public our positions and the dangers of what Hamas is calling for of ?disengagement?.

Dr. Rafiq suggested that we provide him, and through him other ?Presidential? spokespersons, with Talking Points tackling the AMA and Rafah agreement, and focusing on the Palestinian interest behind these agreements.

Finally, and while going over the Presidency?s schedule of foreign visitors, I suggested that the an NSU presentation should be part of the program suggested by the Presidency, including to the civil society and the Parliamentarians visiting the Presidency.  Dr. Rafiq agreed and he suggested that we give a 20 min presentation to two arriving delegations. The first is composed of Lutheran Bishops that will be visiting the Presidency tomorrow at 6:00 pm and the second will be a European delegation (Mid- Bridge) on Wednesday at 13:00. I will get the clearance from Maen for both presentations.

On another note, the Austrian Foreign Minister is visiting Ramallah on Wednesday and meeting with the President at 11:30. is she meeting with SE, is there any scheduled NSU presentation?

W