Sharon Rebuffs Arafat's Offer to Meet and Resume Talks

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Last updated at: (Beijing Time) Thursday, January 30, 2003

Sharon Rebuffs Arafat's Offer to Meet and Resume Talks

A day after his election victory, Ariel Sharon on Wednesday rebuffed an offer by Yasser Arafat to resume peace talks -- an indication the Israeli prime minister will stick to his tough policies in his second term.

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A day after his election victory, Ariel Sharon on Wednesday rebuffed an offer by Yasser Arafat to resume peace talks �� an indication the Israeli prime minister will stick to his tough policies in his second term.

In Tuesday's vote, Sharon won a ringing endorsement for his military crackdown on the Palestinians, and his right-wing supporters want to see him take an even tougher line. However, an Israeli government dominated by hawks could lead to friction with the United States.

Commenting for the first time on the Israeli vote, Arafat said Wednesday that he was ready to resume peace talks. Asked by Israeli TV's Channel 10 if he was willing to meet with Sharon, his longtime nemesis, Arafat said: "Tonight. If he's ready, I'm ready."

Sharon's office said in response that Arafat funds and encourages militants attacking Israelis and that the Palestinian leader "is not and will not be a negotiating partner." Israel will only negotiate with Palestinians not involved in violence, the statement said.

Many Palestinians fear the election results will embolden Sharon, and lead to the destruction of the Palestinian Authority and a permanent Israeli military presence in the West Bank and Gaza.

With the international spotlight on the standoff in Iraq, there's little prospect for a quick resumption of Mideast peace negotiations.

Many Palestinians also believe that Sharon could use the cover of any U.S. military attack on Iraq to step up military action against the Palestinians.

Source: Agencies

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