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Source: http://www.rferl.org/nca/features/2003/04/28042003164657.asp
Barak: No Peace If Arafat Retains Power
(Wall Street Journal Europe/Radio Free Europe) - Former Israeli Prime Minister Ehud Barak says, "Israel should not be expected to make concessions before it is evident that Arafat is being fully and irreversibly deprived of executive authority. There will be no peace as long as he retains any real power." Barak says, "The readiness to launch a coherent strike against Hamas and Islamic Jihad, and putting an eventual end to terror attacks against Israelis, should become the legitimacy test for the new Palestinian government." Newly appointed Palestinian Prime Minister Mahmoud Abbas and Internal Security Minister Mohammad Dahlan "should be judged by their readiness to act forcefully - even if faced with violent resistance - to put an end to acts of terror."