In an effort to deflect immense pressure, the Palestinian Authority has handed the United States a detailed list in response to allegations that it has not acted against terrorism, according to AP.
The document says that the Palestinians have arrested 195 activists, blocked 56 suspect bank accounts, closed 15 illegal munitions factories and 79 unregistered charities and clamped down on extreme mosque preachers.
Palestinian President Yasser Arafat's government "remains committed to peacefully negotiating an end to Israel's occupation of Palestinian territories" said the document, which seemed to be part of a Palestinian effort to convince the West that it is sincere in trying to find a way to end more than 16 months of violence and renew Mideast peace talks.
Regarding the Karine A weapons ship intercepted by Israel last month, the new Palestinian document concedes the smuggling effort "demonstrated gaps in Palestinian enforcement measures" and says Arafat ordered the arrests of those involved.
It also says the Palestinians accept "Israel's right to exist in safe and secure borders," seek "reconciliation with the Israeli people" and pledge to pursue their goals "exclusively through peaceful means."
However, it argues that in reining in the militants, the Palestinians are hindered by the fact that they have full control over only a small part of the West Bank. It also calls for an end to Israel's killing of wanted militants, incursions into Palestinian autonomy zones and blockades of Palestinian towns.
Palestinian Information Minister Yasser Abed Rabbo said Palestinian Parliament Speaker Ahmed Qurei gave the document to U.S. Secretary of State Colin Powell on Tuesday. (Albawaba.com)
© 2002 Al Bawaba (www.albawaba.com)
