Quds city, March 15, SPA -- Israel is to hand the West Bank town of Jericho over to Palestinian security control Wednesday and another town a few days later, Israeli and Palestinian officials said, boosting cooperation as the Palestinian leader flew to Cairo. At a meeting late Monday, Israeli Defense Minister Shaul Mofaz and Palestinian Interior Minister Nasser Yousef worked out a compromise over Jericho, Israeli and Palestinian officials said. Agreements on a handover have been reached before in principle, but disagreements over Israeli roadblocks and territory to be transferred prevented implementation. The delays clouded a positive atmosphere following a Feb. 8 Mideast summit at which both sides declared an end to violence. In a compromise on Jericho, the Palestinians agreed Israel could keep a roadblock at the entrance to the quiet oasis town in the Jordan Valley for another month. The Palestinians said the roadblock would then be removed, while Israeli officials said no commitment has been made yet. Israel will relinquish control of Al Awja, a village north of Jericho that straddles a highway used by Israelis, and armed Palestinian police will patrol there, Palestinian negotiator Saeb Erekat said. "I hope that this time the implementation will be in an expeditious fashion and that every part of the agreement will be honored," he said. Israel also agreed to hand over the town of Tulkarem, next to the line between Israel and the West Bank, a few days after Jericho, Erekat and Israeli officials said. Israel Radio said the transfer would take place Sunday. That would be followed by Qalqiliya, just south of Tulkarem on the Israel-West Bank line. In all, Israel is to hand over five West Bank towns, but no agreement was reached Monday on a timetable for Bethlehem and Ramallah, the seat of the Palestinian government. Agreement on Jericho and Tulkarem came ahead of Palestinian leader Mahmoud Abbas' trip to Cairo Tuesday for a crucial meeting of Palestinian factions.
