Foreign Minister Shimon Peres told army radio today that the decrease in Arab violence paves the way for immediate implementation of the Tenet cease-fire agreement. Peres expressed hopes that the return of US Envoy Anthony Zinni to the region on Thursday would trigger the countdown of the Tenet timetable. Gen. Anthony Zinni will return to Israel for 4-5 days accompanied by Assistant Secretary of State for Near Eastern Affairs William Burns.
The Tenet agreement, which never reached signature stage but was verbally accepted, calls for 7 days of total quiet, followed by a 6-week \"cooling-off period,\" and then three months of confidence-building measures. The Tenet timetable was created as a schedule to facilitate implementation of the Mitchell agreement. The Mitchell Agreement calls for a total freeze of all construction in Jewish towns in Judea, Samaria, and Gaza, including building necessary for natural growth.
Aides in Prime Minister Sharon\'s office responded to Peres\' suggestion saying that the Tenet countdown cannot begin because the Arabs have not ceased their attacks for 7 days. Sharon\'s aides said that the Palestinian Authority has taken no significant steps towards curbing Arab violence, and that the reduction in terrorism is due to IDF anti-terror operations.
Foreign Minister Peres also said today that Israel must stop defaming Arafat\'s name in international circles. On December 3rd, the Israel Government officially declared Arafat and the Palestinian Authority \"terrorist supporting entities.\" Peres said that associating Arafat\'s name with terror does not help Israel and does not enable the PA to combat terrorism. Peres is officially in charge of Israel\'s public relations overseas. He said that he would discuss the new approach with PR officials in his ministry.
Minister of Housing Natan Sharansky (Yisrael B\'aliya) said Peres\' statement about not hurting Arafat\'s public image damages Israel\'s position. Minister Danny Naveh (Likud) also criticized Peres for his remarks.
The Tenet agreement, which never reached signature stage but was verbally accepted, calls for 7 days of total quiet, followed by a 6-week \"cooling-off period,\" and then three months of confidence-building measures. The Tenet timetable was created as a schedule to facilitate implementation of the Mitchell agreement. The Mitchell Agreement calls for a total freeze of all construction in Jewish towns in Judea, Samaria, and Gaza, including building necessary for natural growth.
Aides in Prime Minister Sharon\'s office responded to Peres\' suggestion saying that the Tenet countdown cannot begin because the Arabs have not ceased their attacks for 7 days. Sharon\'s aides said that the Palestinian Authority has taken no significant steps towards curbing Arab violence, and that the reduction in terrorism is due to IDF anti-terror operations.
Foreign Minister Peres also said today that Israel must stop defaming Arafat\'s name in international circles. On December 3rd, the Israel Government officially declared Arafat and the Palestinian Authority \"terrorist supporting entities.\" Peres said that associating Arafat\'s name with terror does not help Israel and does not enable the PA to combat terrorism. Peres is officially in charge of Israel\'s public relations overseas. He said that he would discuss the new approach with PR officials in his ministry.
Minister of Housing Natan Sharansky (Yisrael B\'aliya) said Peres\' statement about not hurting Arafat\'s public image damages Israel\'s position. Minister Danny Naveh (Likud) also criticized Peres for his remarks.