President Yasser Arafat is expected to deliver a major address to the Palestinian people on Sunday. It is predicted that he will call on all Palestinians to honor the cease-fire with Israel.
"There will be a reiteration of fighting terrorism and a call to halt military operations," a senior Palestinian official conveyed of Arafat's speech, due to be broadcast by Palestinian media at 6:00 p.m. (local time).
He said the Palestinian leader would also concentrate on the fact that the Palestinian Authority is solely in control in Palestinian-ruled areas of the West Bank and Gaza Strip, "and this authority respects its commitments."
Arafat's aides in his Ramallah office prepared the speech over the weekend according to guidelines set by a Palestinian cabinet meeting on Friday evening. Sources revealed that in his speech, Arafat will call on the Palestinians to respect the cease-fire agreement with Israel, to cease hurting civilians and to support a solution that will lead to peace. Conflicting reports say he will call for an end to attacks against Israel or a cessation of intifada activity.
A public appeal to the Palestinian people in Arabic is one of the demands put forward by U.S. and European officials. The Palestinian Authority is not presenting the address as consenting to external demands, but rather as a necessary step in light of the severe situation.
Foreign Minister Shimon Peres told Israel Radio Sunday morning that Arafat must be judged by his actions, and not his words. Last week, the Israeli cabinet cut formal ties with Arafat, labeling him ‘irrelevant.’ (Albawaba.com)
© 2001 Al Bawaba (www.albawaba.com)
