Prime Minister Ariel Sharon told U.S. Secretary of State Colin Powell on Friday that Yasser Arafat is not taking the necessary steps to prevent terrorism. The Prime Minister briefed Powell on the current situation in Israel and said that the PLO has not yet arrested wanted terrorists including the murderers of the late Tourism Minister Rehavam Ze\'evi.
Powell phoned Yasser Arafat Friday night. PLO officials report that in the course of their 25-minute conversation, Powell praised the PLO\'s efforts to stop attacks. He also promised Arafat that he would pressure Israel to relax restrictions on Arab residents.
Regarding talks with the PLO, Sharon admitted last week that he is fully aware of negotiations being held between Israeli Foreign Minister Shimon Peres and Palestinian Authority representative Abu Ala. Sharon declared at the opening of this morning\'s cabinet session that negotiations toward a Palestinian state may not begin, until the issue is deliberated in the government. National Union/Yisrael Beitenu leaders say that the ongoing contacts with the PLO contradicts the government guideline that there will be no negotiations \"under fire\". NationalUnion/Yisrael Beitenu members are due this week to debate a proposal to back out of the coalition over the ongoing diplomatic contacts with the PLO. Sharon has clarified that Foreign Minister Shimon Peres is not engaged in \"diplomatic negotiations,\" but rather \"cease-fire talks.\"
Powell phoned Yasser Arafat Friday night. PLO officials report that in the course of their 25-minute conversation, Powell praised the PLO\'s efforts to stop attacks. He also promised Arafat that he would pressure Israel to relax restrictions on Arab residents.
Regarding talks with the PLO, Sharon admitted last week that he is fully aware of negotiations being held between Israeli Foreign Minister Shimon Peres and Palestinian Authority representative Abu Ala. Sharon declared at the opening of this morning\'s cabinet session that negotiations toward a Palestinian state may not begin, until the issue is deliberated in the government. National Union/Yisrael Beitenu leaders say that the ongoing contacts with the PLO contradicts the government guideline that there will be no negotiations \"under fire\". NationalUnion/Yisrael Beitenu members are due this week to debate a proposal to back out of the coalition over the ongoing diplomatic contacts with the PLO. Sharon has clarified that Foreign Minister Shimon Peres is not engaged in \"diplomatic negotiations,\" but rather \"cease-fire talks.\"