Although Arafat\'s official PLO answer to George Tenet\'s ceasefire plan last night was \"yes,\" supplementary explanations by other PA leaders seemed to turn the answer to \"no.\" Officials said they would not arrest wanted Islamic Jihad and Hamas terrorists, nor will they form the buffer zones between their forces and Israel\'s. One PA Cabinet member said that Tenet even agreed to remove these clauses from his proposals, while another said that they have accepted the plan but will continue the struggle against the Israeli conquest. The Palestinians demand that Israel remove the closures from around the PA cities; Israel says it will do so once there is quiet for a few days.
Hamas terrorist leader Mahmoud a-Zar announced last night that a ceasefire would certainly not obligate his organization. Tenet\'s plan involves a 6-to-8 week cooling-off period during which the two sides\' commitment to the ceasefire would be tested. Israel has said that even a rock-throwing incident would cause the 6-8 week clock to be restarted.
Hundreds of angry Palestinians gathered outside Yasser Arafat\'s Ramallah headquarters last night, while inside their boss was meeting with CIA Director George Tenet. The mobs shouted slogans and demanded that Arafat not give in to Tenet\'s conditions.
Cabinet Secretary Gideon Saar announced this morning that a three-way meeting of American, Israeli, and PA representatives would be held today to determine practical measures for the implementation of the ceasefire. \"We will judge Arafat\'s actions, not his declarations,\" Saar said.
Hamas terrorist leader Mahmoud a-Zar announced last night that a ceasefire would certainly not obligate his organization. Tenet\'s plan involves a 6-to-8 week cooling-off period during which the two sides\' commitment to the ceasefire would be tested. Israel has said that even a rock-throwing incident would cause the 6-8 week clock to be restarted.
Hundreds of angry Palestinians gathered outside Yasser Arafat\'s Ramallah headquarters last night, while inside their boss was meeting with CIA Director George Tenet. The mobs shouted slogans and demanded that Arafat not give in to Tenet\'s conditions.
Cabinet Secretary Gideon Saar announced this morning that a three-way meeting of American, Israeli, and PA representatives would be held today to determine practical measures for the implementation of the ceasefire. \"We will judge Arafat\'s actions, not his declarations,\" Saar said.