Israeli officials have expressed annoyance with the European Community’s decision to open a permanent office to oversee E.C. operations in the administered territories.
The opening of the office was announced Monday in Brussels, as Israel prepared to receive a delegation of E.C. foreign ministers.
The mission, due to arrive here next Monday, also plans to hold talks with representatives of the Palestine Liberation Organization and the Arab League in Tunis next Tuesday.
A permanent E.C. representation in the territories would ostensibly supervise and monitor E.C. aid to the Palestinians, which the 12-nation body has substantially increased this year.
But Israeli policy-makers fear the E.C. office will take on a diplomatic role, imparting a separate political status to the territories.
Israeli officials say the E.C’s monitoring and supervisory role could be satisfactorily achieved by the already existing E.C. mission in Tel Aviv.
The issue could cast a shadow over the upcoming talks here between Israeli Foreign Minister David Levy and the E.C. delegation.
The delegation includes the current, immediate past and next chairmen of the E.C. Council of Ministers, who are, respectively, Foreign Ministers Gianni de Michelis of Italy, Gerald Collins of Ireland and Jacques Poos of Luxembourg.
The delegation is coming to Jerusalem to accommodate Levy, who is unable to travel because of a heart attack he suffered last month.
Political observers say the E.C. mission signals a new determination on the part of the European Community to become more actively involved in the Middle East peace process.
They say that the delegation will support the U.S. plan for Israeli-Palestinian negotiations, but is prepared to explore alternative diplomatic options if Washington’s efforts do not bear fruit.
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