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Arafat 'Will Declare Palestinian State on Sept. 13'
Palestinian President Yasser Arafat said in an interview published Tuesday that he intends to declare an independent Palestinian state on time on Sept. 13, regardless of outside pressure.
Arafat spoke to the Saudi dailies Okaz and Saudi Gazette during a visit to the kingdom earlier this week to discuss the failed Camp David peace talks with Israel.
Asked if he intended to delay the declaration of a Palestinian state, Arafat said: ``Never, never. There is no retreat on the fixed timetable of the declaration of the state.
``It will be declared at the fixed time, which is Sept. 13, God willing, regardless of those who agree or disagree.''
Arafat is on a world tour to drum up support for the declaration of a Palestinian state following the failure of 15 days of US-sponsored peace talks at Camp David.
In France at the start of his tour, Arafat appeared to leave the door open for the declaration to be delayed, saying he would take into consideration the advice of friends.
Arafat had earlier pledged to declare a Palestinian state unilaterally on Sept. 13 if negotiations with Israel failed to produce an agreement by that date.
President Clinton has said he opposes any unilateral move by Arafat and warned that Washington will review its entire relationship with the Palestinians if such a step is taken.
But Arafat said he had already delayed declaring a Palestinian state once, heeding US calls.
``An agreement was previously reached with President Clinton on the announcement of a Palestinian state on Sept. 13. The announcement was delayed a full year. This time it will be made on time,'' Arafat said.
``We will deal with any development from outside as it comes.''
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