Palestinian Authority Prime Minister Mahmoud Abbas stressed Palestinian accomplishments in Road Map implementation during a Ramallah meeting today with William Burns, Assistant US Secretary of State for Near Eastern Affairs.

Abbas highlighted Palestinian progress in implementing Palestinian Road Map obligations, stating “Palestinians are already well on our way to implementing the Road Map while Israel has yet to even accept the Road Map.” Abbas called for Israel’s implementation of its Phase I Road Map obligations, including ending attacks against Palestinian civilians, freezing settlement activity (including natural growth) and stopping home demolitions. The Palestinian PM also stressed that the democratically elected Palestinian Authority President, Yasir Arafat, should be free to travel in accordance with Israel’s Phase I obligation to allow freedom of movement for Palestinian officials.

Abbas also emphasized the importance of creating an atmosphere conducive to resuming the peace process through a release of Palestinian political prisoners and end to the closures of Palestinian towns and villages.

Meeting attendees included PA Prime Minister Mahmoud Abbas, William Burns (Assistant US Secretary of State for Near Eastern Affairs), Jeffrey Feltman (Acting Principal Officer of the US Consulate in Jerusalem), Yasser Abed Rabbo (Minister of Cabinet Affairs), Dr. Nabeel Shaath (Minister of Foreign Affairs), Dr. Nabeel Kassis (Minister of Planning) and Dr. Saeb Erekat (Minister of Negotiation Affairs).