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U.S. Blocks Cabinet Move to Exile Arafat

(Ha'aretz) Aluf Benn and Arnon Regular - Aluf Benn and Arnon Regular The U.S. Thursday blocked Israel from immediately expelling Arafat from the territories. The Americans contacted Prime Minister Sharon and Defense Minister Mofaz on Wednesday night to demand that they not expel Arafat. In return, they promised to insist that new Palestinian prime minister Ahmed Qurei should fulfill the PA's obligation under the road map peace plan to fight terrorism rather than making do with temporary cease-fires. (See text of Israeli Cabinet Decision below.) Once more, the White House intervened and demanded that Israel give a chance to the new Ahmed Qurei government and lay off Arafat. In return, the Americans have promised not to restrict Israel's actions against Hamas and will insist that the new Palestinian government carry out a real war against terrorism. The cabinet's decision faces Qurei with an ultimatum: If you fight terror, we'll talk with you, and if you don't, you'll be faced with the responsibility for the expulsion of your leader. Sharon does not reject the new Palestinian prime minister, with whom he has conversed on a number of occasions. But he has also made clear that Israel will not take any steps to reinforce his position, the way he did with his predecessor Mahmoud Abbas.
2003-09-12 00:00:00
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