Palestinian President, Yasser Arafat declared Thursday that the Palestinian people will never give up their goal of achieving freedom, independence, national sovereignty and a state with Jerusalem as its capital.
In a televised speech as part of the ceremonies to mark the 16th Anniversary of Khalil El-Wazir (Abu Jihad)'s death, Arafat noted the Palestinians should defend their land, holy places and Jerusalem.
These comments were Arafat's first public statements following Wednesday's Washington meeting between U.S. President George W. Bush and Israel's Prime Minister Ariel Sharon.
He stressed that the Palestinians have the right to return to their homeland inside Israel, despite Bush's declaration Wednesday that refugees would only be able to return to a newly-created Palestinian state.
"Israeli crimes will be faced with more resistance to force Israeli occupiers and herds of settlers to leave Palestinian land," Arafat said. He cautioned that "Israel will not achieve security through occupation, arrogance and assassinating our leaders." (Albawaba.com)
© 2004 Al Bawaba (www.albawaba.com)
