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Arafat to Ask for Pledge of Peace
Monday, September 9, 2002
By Steve Weizman
Associated Press Writer

Palestinian officials said some lawmakers want to raise the idea of electing a prime minister who would actively head the government, while Arafat, as president, became titular head of state with little or no executive power. That idea has been suggested by the United States and Israel but the Palestinians have not endorsed it.

JERUSALEM -- AP
Yasser Arafat will condemn suicide bombing and ask a key meeting of the Palestinian parliament today to reaffirm the Palestinian commitment to peace with Israel, according to a draft copy of the Palestinian leader's speech.

The draft copy of Arafat's speech said the world was waiting for a clear signal that the Palestinians saw peaceful negotiations as the way to resolve their dispute with Israel.

"The Palestinian people are standing against all types of terrorism, whether it is state terror or individual terror," the text said. "The Palestinian Legislative Council has to protect Palestinian national interests through final recognition of the state of Israel and the right of its people to live in peace and security."

It argued that Palestinian bomb attacks gave Israel justification for harsh retaliation.
(More: The Cleveland Plain Dealer News Source)
2002 © The Associated Press.

Dan