Posted on 09/10/2001 8:56:35 AM PDT by Syene
Report: Israel rejects PA offer for Monday
Arafat-Peres talks
by Nitzan Horowitz
Courtesy of Ha'aretz
Monday September 10 2001
Israel has flatly rejected an offer by Palestinian Authority Chairman Yasser Arafat for immediate truce talks with Foreign Minister Shimon Peres, Israel Radio reported Monday.
It said the Palestinian Authority had proposed that the two hold talks Monday in Cairo.
It said that both the Palestinian offer and the Israeli rejection were tied to the three Sunday terror attacks, in which two suicide bombers and a drive-by gunman left five Israelis dead and more than 80 wounded in separate strikes in Nahariya, Beit Lid, and the Jordan Rift.
But the radio said that a Peres-Arafat meeting, which has been discussed by both sides for weeks but has been repeatedly postponed - often in the wake of Israeli-Palestinian violence - could still take place within a few days.
The report came as aides to Prime Minister Ariel Sharon voiced doubts as to the wisdom of holding the meeting at a period of continuing terrorism.
They said Sharon himself had once supported Peres-Arafat talks aimed at a cease-fire, but had now changed his mind.
One political source said yesterday, "even the bait of talks with Peres didn't cause Arafat to alter his ways. One would expect that the chance for talks with the foreign minister would have led him to take steps to rein in and halt [attacks]. But instead he chose to give orders to the various factions of his coalition to step up the terror."
A large question mark now hangs over the meeting. Sharon's aides say that the prime minister actually had been in favor of the meeting and had supported Peres in his efforts, but that it is now clear Arafat is not interested in any real dialogue.
"What will they discuss?" asked the source. "Negotiations under fire? This is exactly what Arafat wants - to keep up the fire and hold some sort of talks under the pressure of terror attacks."
Sharon had limited Peres's mandate to discussing a cease-fire and had warned that the meeting should not take place "at any cost."
It is now very doubtful if Peres will even meet with Arafat to discuss a cease-fire.
"There is no real hope for a renewal of talks. Not because we don't want it, but because of their actions," said the source.
Sources close to Peres said in response that the foreign minister still wishes to meet with Arafat, just not right now.
Peres is angry with the chairman, but no decision has been made to cancel the meeting. Indeed, Sharon has not yet ordered Peres to stop preparing for the meeting.
Disclaimer: Opinions posted on Free Republic are those of the individual posters and do not necessarily represent the opinion of Free Republic or its management. All materials posted herein are protected by copyright law and the exemption for fair use of copyrighted works.