Following reports that Yasser Arafat has expressed a desire to meet with Prime Minister Ariel Sharon, the latter's office responded that Arafat "continues to finance, initiate, operate and dispatch terror, [and] will not be a partner for negotiations. In the framework of Israel's efforts to move forward on the diplomatic track and bring about quiet and - in the end - peace, Israel will be prepared to speak only to those Palestinians who are not involved in terror in any way, shape or form."
Iraqi dictator Saddam Hussein continues to fund families of terrorists in Gaza. A ceremony was held this week in Rafiach during which $220,000 was distributed to 22 families of suicide terrorists.