Arafat: present events worse than apartheid; praises support of King Mohammed

Palestinian Authority Chairman Yasser Arafat praised efforts made by King Mohammed VI and the sovereign's unfailing support to the Palestinian people in all circumstances and at all levels.

The Palestinian leader who was interviewed by Moroccan TV channel (2M) expressed thanks to the king and the entire Moroccan people for their constant support.

He added he is proud of the backing extended by the late king Hassan II, recalling that the late sovereign had insisted during a meeting of the Organization of Islamic Conference that Palestine permanently holds the vice-presidency of the Islamic summit, without going through elections.

To reporters who asked about his opinion on the US president's remarks about the Palestinian leadership, he recalled that he has been elected by the Palestinian people and that he enjoys the support of the Arab nation, the Islamic nation, the Non-Aligned Movement, African, European and Latin American countries. He added that the Palestine Liberation Organization is also recognized by all the world's revolutionary movements.

He went on that Bush's statement is seen by Israelis as a green light to carry on their crimes, siege, and territory partitioning. For him, present events in the Palestinian territories are worse than apartheid practices in South Africa as the Israeli occupation forces are everyday killing children, women and destroying the Islamic and Christian holy shrines.

In addition, he went, 50% of olive trees have been destroyed, 200,000 Palestinian workers were fired, not to mention that the Israeli government has blocked the Palestinian authority's tax returns, closed Palestinian borders with Egypt and Jordan, and destroyed the airport, the port and other facilities.