国际英语新闻：Abbas accepts principle of land exchange with Israel

RAMALLAH, May 22 (Xinhua) -- Palestinian President Mahmoud Abbas confirmed on Saturday that the Palestinian National Authority (PNA) accepts the principle of exchanging lands with Israel with the same "value and ideal."

However, Abbas, who received representatives of the Palestinian campaign to boycott the Israeli settlement's products, better known as "from home to home," denied that there is an agreement on exchanging lands with Israel.

"We agreed on the principle of the mutual exchange of lands with the same value and the same ideal, but we haven't reached any agreement at all in this matter and we didn't agree on the sizes of the lands that are intended for exchange," Abbas told the members of the campaign.

On Friday, chief Palestinian negotiator Saeb Erekat denied what the Wall Street Journal had reported that the PNA accepted making "big concessions," including an exchange of lands with Israel.

Abbas, meanwhile, revealed that "two proximity talks' rounds, directed by U.S. peace envoy Senator George Mitchell, had been already held," adding "the two rounds tackled the issues of borders and security."

"During the two rounds of proximity talks, Mr. Mitchell was carrying professional, literal and legal questions," said Abbas. " So far, I can't say that there has been a progress in the beginning of the four-month proximity talks."