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UN Backs Larsen's Criticism of Arafat
(Jerusalem Post) Khaled Abu Toameh and Herb Keinon - UN Secretary General Kofi Annan gave full backing to his Middle East envoy Terje Roed-Larsen, who was banned by the Palestinians over his harsh criticism of Arafat. "There is a consensus within the quartet that the Palestinian Authority must carry out its reform process, including the full empowerment of the Palestinian prime minister," said Annan's spokeswoman Marie Okabe. An Israeli diplomatic official said Arafat is a major stumbling block for the Europeans and the UN because Israel will not give an active role in the diplomatic process to those who continue to deal with Arafat, which includes the EU and the UN.