Israelis, Palestinians examine alternative Peace Plan by ABC News Online 11:19am 17th Nov, 2003   November 17, 2003.    The Israeli and Palestinian public are poring over the text of an alternative Middle East peace blueprint, after millions of copies were mailed to households and the entire document was published in newspapers.    Former justice minister Yossi Beilin, the driving force behind the so-called Geneva Initiative on the Israeli side, tried to hand over a copy at Prime Minister Ariel Sharon's residence.    But officials said they could not accept the text as the supporters had not followed proper procedures for delivering documents to Mr Sharon.    Mr Sharon has poured scorn on the agreement drawn up by opposition politicians and leading Palestinian figures, calling it an illusion and insisting that the internationally-backed "roadmap" for peace is the only way to secure peace in the region.    But Mr Beilin said that the Geneva plan, which is due to be formally unveiled in Switzerland on December 1, had the potential of succeeding where other efforts had failed.    "The Geneva agreement is different to other agreements because this is done for first time by people from both sides and not between the governments," Mr Beilin told AFP.    He said he was "optimistic" after what he called the "positive reaction in Israeli society and the positive reaction of the international community".    His symbolic visit to Sharon's residence came as copies of the document were landing through mailboxes in Israel.    Organisers of the initiative said that two million copies had posted at a cost of some three million shekels (around $US670,000).    Arabic and even Russian versions of the document will also be made available in the coming weeks.    Palestinian newspapers published the document in special 16-page supplements on Sunday, while Yasser Abed Rabbo - the former information minister who has been the main driving force on the Palestinian side - also warned that it could be the last chance of reaching a peaceful settlement between the two sides.    "I am afraid that this will be last opportunity for a solution between the two parties," he told the Al-Quds newspaper.    If "the Geneva opportunity is wasted" then the Israeli government would merely try "to decide our destiny" by pushing ahead with settlements and its controversial West Bank separation barrier, he said.    But although the Israeli government has turned its nose up at the plan, the Palestinian leadership has been more welcoming.    Palestinian leader Yasser Arafat has said that while it does not have official backing, he welcomes any such effort to bring an end to the violence between the two sides.    Three Palestinians involved in drafting the text - prisoners affairs minister Hisham Abdelrazaq, planning minister Nabil Qassis and minister without portfolio Qaddura Fares - were all appointed ministers in the new cabinet of prime minister Ahmed Qurie officially approved on Wednesday.    UN Secretary General Kofi Annan has said the initiative "deserves praise and encouragement as courageous attempts to break the stalemate on both sides", while British Prime Minister Tony Blair said it "gives them a chance to look beyond current difficulties."    Mr Beilin and Abed Rabbo have claimed support from US Secretary of State Colin Powell.    US officials have said however that while Powell recognises the "usefulness and importance of what is being done", they are not going to formally endorse the project and remain committed to the "roadmap".    The Geneva Initiative deals with all key points in the Israeli-Palestinian conflict, including the thorny issues of the Jewish settlements and the borders of a future Palestinian state.    Under the agreement, both sides would share sovereignty over Jerusalem and reach a compromise on the issue of Palestinian refugees' right of return.    --AFP
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