Communicated by the Prime Minister's Media Advisor Jerusalem, 11 February 1997 PM meets with coalition MKs on construction in eastern Jerusalem Prime Minister Benjamin Netanyahu met today (Tuesday), 11.2.97, with coalition MKs who came to discuss construction in eastern Jerusalem, prior to his trip to the U.S. The MKs expressed their desire to strengthen Jewish construction in eastern Jerusalem in particular -- as well as in Jerusalem in general -- and their request that this position be clearly presented during the Prime Minister's meetings in the U.S. Most of the MKs also expressed their opinion that this construction must be carried out in a correct manner, and at the proper time and place. Prime Minister Netanyahu said that in his meeting with PA Chairman Yasser Arafat, he made it clear that Israel is demanding unequivocally that the PA close its offices in Jerusalem and cease its activities there, and that if the PA does not act on this issue, Israel will do so. The Prime Minister said that Israel is acting as the sovereign authority in Jerusalem and according to its understanding, and does not require the permission of any outside body for construction, development and road paving there; and there is no link or connection to any negotiations on other issues. The Prime Minister said that the Ministerial Committee on Jerusalem Affairs has discussed, decided, and implemented decisions on the closure of PA institutions in Jerusalem and the cessation of PA activities in the city. He added that it has already decided to invest funds so that the Municipality of Jerusalem will be able to act vigorously in eastern Jerusalem (which it has not done for years). The Prime Minister said that the committee will decide on priorities regarding construction, development and road-paving in Jerusalem at its next meeting. The meeting -- which has been previously planned -- will be held after the Prime Minister returns from his trip to the U.S.