Last updated at: (Beijing Time) Tuesday, October 28, 2003
Sharon says no plans to kill Arafat
Israeli Prime Minister Ariel Sharon, for the first time in public, said Monday Israel has no plans to kill Palestinian National Authority Chairman Yasser Arafat.
Israeli Prime Minister Ariel Sharon, for the first time in public, said Monday Israel has no plans to kill Palestinian National Authority Chairman Yasser Arafat.
Sharon made the remarks after meeting with visiting European lawmakers, who tried to mediate between Palestinians and Israelis.
"I don't see any plans to kill him although the man is responsible for the deaths of thousands of Jews, mostly civilians,"said the hawkish leader.
"You don't have to worry. He is alive and very active in taking all steps ... to murder civilians," he added.
Israel will agree to recognize a Palestinian state and at the third stage of the roadmap will be willing to discuss settlements, borders and security zones, Sharon told the lawmakers.
Israel wants to implement good-will measures toward the Palestinians, but previously, easing restrictions led to more terror attacks, he added.
Israeli cabinet members often talked of expelling or even killing Arafat, which has drawn strong international opposition.
The 150 members of the European Parliament, named as "A Moment for Peace", are on a four-day Middle East mission. They are scheduled to visit the West Bank and Jordan later.