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Arafat Calls for Immediate End to All Violence
Palestinian President Yasser Arafat on Thursday called for an "immediate end to all forms of violence" in the Middle East and "immediate dispatch of international observers" in the area.
Speaking at the end of his two-day visit to Rome, Arafat said Italian Premier Silvio Berlusconi had "guaranteed" his "full support" towards achieving peace in the area.
"From here in Rome I ask for an immediate end to all forms of violence and for the immediate dispatch of international observers to implement the Mitchell peace plan," Arafat said at a news conference at Ciampino airport.
The so-called Mitchell plan was presented in May by an international panel of experts led by former U.S. Senator George Mitchell in an effort to end 10 months of Palestinian-Israeli violence.
The plan calls for a ceasefire, a lengthy cooling-off period and confidence-building measures, including an end to Jewish settlements in the West Bank and the Gaza Strip as well as the deployment of international observers.
"Personally, I reiterate our firm commitment to the peace process, as well as to all signed agreements and pledges made, including an immediate ceasefire," Arafat said.
Arafat said he came to Rome for meetings with the Italian leaders in an effort "to seek help and support in saving the peace process." He repeated several times that he had made a "strategic commitment" to peace and that he wanted to "renew" this pledge " from Rome." Arafat also said that everyone must work for an end to the violence because "peace must be offered to both Palestinian and Israeli children."
He stressed that his talks with Italian President Carlo Azeglio Ciampi, Berlusconi and Foreign Minister Renato Ruggiero had been " very important" and "positive." Meetings with Senate Speaker Marcello Pera, Lower House Speaker Pier Ferdinando Casini as well as with leaders of the centre-left opposition were "very fruitful, " Arafat added.
Referring to the deployment of international observers, the Palestinian leader said they must be sent "immediately, immediately, immediately."
He suggested that Italy, as duty president of the Group of Eight, would probably agree to participate in the deployment of observers if an agreement was reached.
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