Cheney: I'll meet Arafat is he implements Tenet plan fully
Palestine-USA, Politics, 3/20/2002

The US Vice President Dick Cheney said he will meet next week with Yasser Arafat if he implements Tenet's plan.

In a press conference he held with the Israeli prime minister Ariel Sharon in conclusion of their talks, Cheney said that he told the Israeli prime minister he is ready to meet with Arafat in the future somewhere after implementing the Tenet plan with the aim to support the American envoy Anthony Zinni in his mission.

Cheney added that the US has not yet taken any decision towards directing a strike to Iraq.

A source at the American embassy in Tel Aviv commented at the statements made by the US vice president by saying that "Cheney will not be meeting with Arafat."

On the other hand, the Israeli prime minister Ariel Sharon set a precondition for permitting Arafat to attend the next Beirut's summit to implement the Tenet's plan. Sharon said "I will prevent Arafat from returning back in case Palestinian operations will take place during his absence or if he gives statements which Israel sees as a provocation to violence."

The Palestinian Authority considered Cheney's readiness to meet with Arafat as a step in the rightful track and the beginning of re-evaluating the American position.

The media officer at the Palestinian Authority Yasser Abd Rabbu stressed that the American envoy Anthony Zinni conveyed a message from Cheney to Arafat that can be said -- it is positive and relates to Tenet and Mitchell plans and political negotiations.

Previous Stories:
  U.S. calls for complete Israeli withdrawal from Palestinian areas   (3/15/2002)
  Zinni to seek immediate implementation of Tenet plan   (3/12/2002)
  Arafat's price to attend the Arab summit   (2/19/2002)

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