U.S. commentators noted a \"dramatic shift\" in American policy today. The Bush Administration had long been against a meeting with Arafat, until today\'s statement by Vice President Cheney that he would be willing to meet with Arafat. \"The Tenet work plan requires 100% effort by Arafat to stop the violence and terrorism,\" said Cheney, adding later that this meeting could occur if Gen. Zinni is satisfied with the PA\'s implementation of Tenet.
Cheney was asked by reporters at the press conference what exactly was holding up the immediate announcement of a ceasefire between the sides. Instead of simply explaining that the PA has not yet agreed to cease its fire, he said, \"The point is not a ceasefire, but the Tenet Agreement…\" PA sources expressed fury that Cheney did not meet with Arafat today, as Zinni has done, and said that Arafat has not yet issued any orders for a cease-fire. \"There will not be quiet until there is a ceasefire,\" they said.
Cheney was asked if the U.S. was not practicing a \"double moral standard,\" in that it criticizes Israel\'s efforts against terrorism while its own army \"has killed hundreds and thousands of innocent civilians in Afghanistan.\" He responded that the U.S. did not kill thousands of innocent civilians, and that both the U.S. and Israel are very careful to avoid the loss of innocent human life.
Cheney was asked by reporters at the press conference what exactly was holding up the immediate announcement of a ceasefire between the sides. Instead of simply explaining that the PA has not yet agreed to cease its fire, he said, \"The point is not a ceasefire, but the Tenet Agreement…\" PA sources expressed fury that Cheney did not meet with Arafat today, as Zinni has done, and said that Arafat has not yet issued any orders for a cease-fire. \"There will not be quiet until there is a ceasefire,\" they said.
Cheney was asked if the U.S. was not practicing a \"double moral standard,\" in that it criticizes Israel\'s efforts against terrorism while its own army \"has killed hundreds and thousands of innocent civilians in Afghanistan.\" He responded that the U.S. did not kill thousands of innocent civilians, and that both the U.S. and Israel are very careful to avoid the loss of innocent human life.