Powell, Arafat Discuss Palestinian-Israeli Ceasefire on Phone: Official

Home>>World

Last updated at: (Beijing Time) Thursday, March 14, 2002

Powell, Arafat Discuss Palestinian-Israeli Ceasefire on Phone: Official

DISCUSSION

CHINESE

SEND TO FRIEND

U.S. Secretary of State Colin Powell discussed Wednesday with Palestinian leader Yasser Arafat over phone the possibility of reaching a Palestinian-Israeli ceasefire to end the bloodshed between the two sides, a senior Palestinian official said.

Nabil Abu Rudeineh, a top aide to Arafat, said that Arafat briefed Powell on the latest Israeli offensives against the Palestinian territories, especially the latest occupation of the West Bank town of Ramallah.

Abu Rudeineh said that Powell told Arafat that U.S. Middle East peace envoy Anthony Zinni would be in the region on Thursday, adding that he (Zinni) is coming to implement Mitchell report recommendations and (George) Tenet's plan.

"Powell told Arafat that the United States is committed to the principle of establishing a Palestinian state that has recognized borders," said Abu Rudeineh, adding that they discussed the U.N. Security Council resolution that calls for establishing a Palestinian state side by side with Israel.

Meanwhile, Palestinian sources said that Israeli troops stationed at Gush Katif settlements' crossroad killed a Palestinian in southern Gaza Strip as they fired at him a tank shell.

The sources said that the soldiers fire at anybody who walked in the area, adding that the man was not armed and he was going back to his home in the area.

Questions?Comments? Click here