Palestinian Reconciliation Talks Set for Cairo See Possible Snag

In spite of optimistic predictions that Palestinian factions will leave Cairo on November 12 with unity in sight, new concerns are centering over Egyptian reticence to allow modifications to the plan it is brokering. The factions are set to meet in Cairo on November 10 and 11, with the primary issue being reconciling the difference between Fatah, which controls the West Bank, and Hamas, which controls the Gaza Strip. The Egyptian negotiators have informed the factions that no changes or amendments will be considered to the draft agreement prepared in Cairo and distributed to the parties. One Palestinian official told the French news agency AFP on Wednesday that the Egyptian position threatened the entire conference.