Arafat says Netanyahu does not honor agreements

Israeli Prime Minister Benjamin Netanyahu announced yesterday that peace negotiations on the Palestinian track will resume after the Israeli elections to be held on May 17 regardless of who wins.

In the meantime, Netanyahu stated his opposition to the Palestinian independent state, claiming that this state might import weapons using it against Israel.

Meanwhile, Netanyahu stated that Israel's failure to resume negotiations with Syria relates to Damascus' insistence on obtaining a prior pledge from Israel to withdraw from the Golan.

Meanwhile, Arafat accused Netanyahu of not respecting the international pacts signed between the two countries and of suspending them completely.

Following his return to Gaza at the conclusion of his foreign tour, Arafat said yesterday that the decision concerning the declaration of the state will be taken during the meeting of the Palestinian central council on April 27.