Arafat agrees on delaying implementing the third withdrawal in the West Bank

Palestinian top negotiator Saeb Erekat said that "the Palestinian president Yasser Arafat agreed to the demand of the U.S President Bill Clinton to delay the third withdrawal in the West Bank till October the 7th."

He clarified that he informed U.S special envoy for the peace process Denis Ross with this consent during their meeting in Gaza yesterday evening.

He said that Arafat asked Ross for U.S support to have Israel carry out the signed agreements between the two sides and release the Palestinian detainees and captives in Israeli prisons.

Erekat accused Israel of trying to stress the Palestinian leadership to obtain concessions by using the time factor, assuring that his country will not give up any of its rights.