Arafat looms the possibility of postponing the announcement of the Palestinian state
Palestine, Politics, 4/9/1999

Palestinian President Yasser Arafat has continued his Asian tour, during which he visited so far Japan, Malaysia and Indonesia. Arafat is also expected to visit in his tour Vietnam today and China next Wednesday.

Japanese officials said Arafat on Wednesday indicated that he will not announce the Palestinian state before the Israeli elections which will be held on May 17. The Japanese officials added that Arafat told the Japanese prime minister that the countries he has already visited urged him not to announce the Palestinian state before the Israeli elections.

A Japanese official quoted the Palestinian president as saying to the Japanese premier that it is "a very painful decision for Palestine and not an easy one." He expressed his hope that a decision satisfactory for all will be taken.

The Japanese official continued that Arafat told the Japanese premier that the EU, Russia and the US recommended that he wait until after the Israeli elections. Japanese officials indicated the Arafat's statements can be explained as that he will not announce the establishment of the Palestinian state immediately after the termination of the period set by the provisional agreements between the Palestinians and Israel.

The Japanese prime minister said his country will continue its support for the Palestinians.

Japan pledged to provide US $200 million within the US $3 billion the donated countries pledged to pay for the Palestinians in order to encourage the Palestinian Authority to proceed the Middle East peace process.

Previous Stories:
  Moscow suggests a summit for Israeli - Palestinian agreement signatories   (4/7/1999)

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