Arafat Says Ready to Negotiate with Mitzna

Home>>World

Last updated at: (Beijing Time) Thursday, November 21, 2002

Arafat Says Ready to Negotiate with Mitzna

Palestinian leader Yasser Arafat extended hands on Wednesday to the newly elected Labor party leader, Amram Mitzna, for joint efforts to restore "peace of the brave."

DISCUSSION

CHINESE

SEND TO FRIEND

Palestinian leader Yasser Arafat extended hands on Wednesday to the newly elected Labor party leader, Amram Mitzna, for joint efforts to restore "peace of the brave."

"We are not interfering in (Israel's) internal affairs, and we are ready to deal with anyone who is elected. Our hands will be extended to any Israeli leader prepared to negotiate," Arafat told reporters.

The call came after the dovish mayor of Haifa won the Labor chairmanship Tuesday night and said he would give priority to peace with Palestinians once in power.

He vowed to reverse Prime Minister Ariel Sharon's hardline course by withdrawing unilaterally from the Gaza Strip and negotiating with the Palestinians if elected prime minister.

Mitzna, as Labor chairman and the party's prime ministerial candidate, will compete with the winner of the rival Likud party in the early elections slated for Jan. 28, 2003.

On Tuesday night, Palestinian Legislative Council Speaker Ahmed Qurei said Mitzna "has succeeded in short time on the political scene and has delivered clear and important messages on the need toset up a true peace."

"Mitzna's statement calling for the evacuation of Israeli settlements in the territories testifies to a real desire to achieve peace," he added.

Nabil Abu Rudeineh, a top aide to Arafat, said, "We are concerned to find leaders who are committed to work with us for peace."

"Therefore we welcome any Israeli leader who is going to be committed to make peace with us and work according to the signed agreements," he said.

Questions?Comments? Click here

Poll Shows Mitzna Defeats Ben Eliezer in Israel's Labor Primary

Jiang Zemin Wins Respect for Absence in New Party Central Committee ( 2 Messages)

'Three Represents' to Become Party's Mission Statement ( 7 Messages)

Lured by Black Gold-Oil-- under Anti-Terrorism Banner ( 116 Messages)

China Objects US Blockade of Cuba ( 3 Messages)

China's Foreign Trade Totals 500 Billion US Dollars ( 4 Messages)