Peres Welcomes U.S. Refusal to Sever Ties With Arafat

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Last updated at: (Beijing Time) Monday, February 11, 2002

Peres Welcomes U.S. Refusal to Sever Ties With Arafat

Israeli Foreign Minister Shimon Peres on Sunday welcomed the U.S. government's decision not to sever ties with Palestinian National Authority (PNA) Chairman Yasser Arafat.

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Israeli Foreign Minister Peres on Sunday welcomed the U.S. government's decision not to sever ties with Palestinian National Authority (PNA) Chairman Yasser Arafat.

In an interview with Israel's Army Radio, Peres criticized callsfor removing Arafat and replacing his leadership in the PNA, addingthat such calls will have "the exact opposite effect, uniting everyone behind Arafat."

The minister's remark came just after the U.S. government told Israeli Prime Minister Ariel Sharon, who was in the United States for his fourth visit, that it will not cut ties with Arafat, who has been asked to take more effective measures to put Palestinian militant extremists under control.

Sharon told U.S. President George W. Bush Thursday that it is essential to step up pressure on Arafat so as to encourage the emergence of an alternative Palestinian leadership. "Arafat is not a partner, and won't be a partner," Sharon said.

However, Sharon said Israel has no intention of causing Arafat any physical harm.

In the interview, Peres also rejected criticism on him from all sides for negotiating with the Palestinians "under fire."

He said that "what's good for the prime minister is also good for me," referring to Sharon's recent meeting with top Palestinian officials Abu Mazen, Ahmed Qurei and Mohammed Rashid, who were regarded by Sharon as possible alternatives to Arafat.

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