Despite the criticism from left and right of Peres\' meetings with Arafat, Palestinian sources announced today that Peres and Arafat would in fact meet next week in Berlin. Peres himself did not confirm the report, but said that he would meet with Arafat \"when the time is right.\" Ynet reports that Arafat will send one of his top advisors, Nabil Sha’ath, to Damascus in order to calm Syrian fears that the PLO may “sell out” during the Peres-Arafat meeting. The PLO is expected to assure Syria that it will not halt the violence in order to renew talks with Israel. It was noted, however, that the violence has already been reduced somewhat over the past two days.
In a related item, Egyptian officials say that U.S. President Bush is examining the possibility of inviting Arafat to the White House, for a joint meeting with Egyptian President Mubarak and Jordanian King Abdullah. Although the PLO Chairman was the most frequent international visitor to Washington under President Clinton, he has not yet been invited even once to the Bush White House.
German Foreign Minister Fischer, meeting with Arafat in Ramallah today, submitted to him Foreign Minister Shimon Peres\' plan for a \"gradual ceasefire,\" which calls for gradual ceasefires in one area at a time. The Palestinians are reportedly showing interest in the idea. Fischer will also meet today with Prime Minister Ariel Sharon. Peres, for his part, left for Eastern Europe today, beginning his visit in Budapest, Hungary. He will spend tomorrow and the next day in Warsaw, Poland, where he will address a gathering of Israeli Ambassadors to European countries.
In a related item, Egyptian officials say that U.S. President Bush is examining the possibility of inviting Arafat to the White House, for a joint meeting with Egyptian President Mubarak and Jordanian King Abdullah. Although the PLO Chairman was the most frequent international visitor to Washington under President Clinton, he has not yet been invited even once to the Bush White House.
German Foreign Minister Fischer, meeting with Arafat in Ramallah today, submitted to him Foreign Minister Shimon Peres\' plan for a \"gradual ceasefire,\" which calls for gradual ceasefires in one area at a time. The Palestinians are reportedly showing interest in the idea. Fischer will also meet today with Prime Minister Ariel Sharon. Peres, for his part, left for Eastern Europe today, beginning his visit in Budapest, Hungary. He will spend tomorrow and the next day in Warsaw, Poland, where he will address a gathering of Israeli Ambassadors to European countries.