Israeli intention to alienate Arafat from the West Bank, Gaza

The Kuwaiti daily al- Rai al-Am issued on Sunday quoted Palestinian sources in London as saying that the recent contacts which were held indirectly between European capitals and each of the Palestinian Authority and the Israeli government unveiled that there is an intention with the Israeli prime minister Ariel Sharon to alienate Arafat from the West Bank and Gaza.

The sources explained that Sharon did not hide in these contacts his desire to get rid off Arafat but did not mean to kill him, as one of the sources said. Those who are surrounding Sharon consider that the results of alienating Arafat will be of less damage to Israel than liquidating him physically, and the same for his presence abroad as opposed to being in the West Bank or Gaza.

The sources warned that the conditions in the region are prepared for explosion at any moment. A matter which will make all possibilities there, including the Israeli authorities striking of the Palestinian leadership, foremost being Arafat.