Bush frustrated by Arafat's performance

The chairman of the Palestinian Authority Yasser Arafat on Thursday received a telephone call from the US Secretary of State Colin Powell in which they discussed developments in the occupied Palestinian territories in light of the continued American efforts in the region.

Arafat's advisor Nabil Abu Rudinah told reporters that talks dealt with the mission of US envoy Anthony Zinni and recent developments and best ways were discussed to start implementation of Tenet Understandings and Mitchell committee plan.

Meantime, the US President George Bush expressed his regret over Arafat's efforts to eliminate what he called violence and urged him to exert more efforts. President Bush told reporters at the White House on Wednesday after meeting with his vice President Dick Cheney following a tour on the Middle East saying:" I am frankly frustrated by Arafat's performance." The Israeli foreign minister Shimon Peres set a precondition to start negotiations with the Palestinian side which is to halt the Intifada and arrest Palestinians wanted by Israel. In a statement to the Israeli radio on Thursday, Peres called on Arafat to take decisive and urgent measures to halt what he called acts of violence in the Palestinian territories.