Arafat in Move to Regain Support

(Telegraph-UK) - Yasser Arafat, the embattled Palestinian leader, has agreed in principle to give up some of his autocratic powers to a new prime minister in an attempt to win back international support. Jack Straw, the Foreign Secretary, said senior Palestinian delegates speaking "with Mr. Arafat's authority" promised to present a revised draft for a democratic constitution, including the creation of a prime minister "having specified powers," later this month. But the move was hedged with conditions, and it was unclear whether it would satisfy Israeli and American demands for a change of leadership. The Israeli government has said real reform is impossible for as long as Mr. Arafat remains the Palestinian leader.


2003-01-15 00:00:00

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