US Secretary of State Colin Powell on Sunday blamed Yasser Arafat for blocking American attempts to strengthen Palestinian security forces as a means of ending attacks on Israel.
Powell also criticized Arafat for a statement the Palestinian leader made Saturday to his people urging them to "find whatever strength you have to terrorize your enemy."
"Mr. Arafat continues to take actions and make statements to make it exceptionally difficult to move forward" on peacemaking, Powell said at a news conference before returning to Washington from the World Economic Forum held in Jordan.
He said Arafat "refuses to allow consolidation of security forces" among the Palestinians, as the U.S. demands.
Powell met Saturday with Palestinian Prime Minister Ahmed Qurei in Amman and urged him to seize the opportunity for dismantling Israeli settlements in Gaza Strip and some on the West Bank under a proposal offered by Sharon.
Powell, endorsing Sharon's proposal, called it "a way to get us out of this circle" and said the Israeli people want to move ahead on coming to terms with the Palestinians. (Albawaba.com)
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