Arafat- Clinton's meeting postponed because of al-Assad's funeral

The advisor for the chairman of the Palestinian government Nabil Bu Rudinah has stressed that the funeral of Syrian President Hafez al-Assad will postpone the meeting between Arafat and the US President Bill Clinton in Washington till Thursday.

Abu Rudinah told the voice of Palestine radio that this meeting which was due to be held tomorrow ( Wednesday) will be postponed for one day so as Arafat and the US secretary of state Madeleine Albright will be able to attend the funeral.

Abu Rudinah added that Arafat will arrive in Washington on Wednesday night and that the Americans want to give Albright a chance to return back to her country and attend this meeting.