Arafat gives two-week time limit to the U.S. administration

Palestinian sources confirmed today that Palestinian President Yasser Arafat gave a two-week time limit to the U.S. administration to attempt to convince the Israeli government to adopt the U.S. peace initiative, starting from May 22.

Ahmed Abdul Rahman, the secretary-general of the Palestinian Cabinet, stated that there is something similar to a war of attrition being practiced by the Israeli prime minister to evade the U.S. initiative and evacuate its of its content.

Arafat also stated that the U.S. administration still adheres to its suggestions, and that the U.S. Secretary of State Madeleine Albright informed him of that in her communications a few days ago.