Arafat seeks US assurances on Israel implementing accords

Palestinian President Yasser Arafat requested US assurances that Israel would implement the Wye Agreement and told US peace envoy to the region, Dennis Ross, that the Palestinan government will honor its part of the agreement.

Preparations meanwhile continued on the Palestinian side for convening the Palestine National Council next week, in the presence of US President Bill Clinton.

Palestinian sources confirmed that Israel agreed to allow 18 members of the PNC, including senior PLO members, back into Gaza to attend the meeting. Those officials include PLO Political Department head Farouq Qaddumi, and Fatah Central Committee member Abu Maher Ghuneim in addition to two senior members of Palestinian rejectionist groups.

PFLP deputy chief Abu Ali Mustafa said he received the invitation to attend but decided to boycott because the session "is illegal." "I call upon all members in the Council to boycott the meeting." Mustafa said the Palestinian National Charter is for all the Palestinian people and "no one has the right to abolish it."