RAMALLAH Ñ Palestinian Authority Chairman Yasser Arafat issued an order Saturday to ban demonstrations in support of Iraq.
PA officials said Arafat issued the order on Saturday during a meeting
with his leading aides. They said the ban was meant to prevent further
deterioration in PA relations with the United States.
Arafat's order, the officials said, was the first time the PA banned
demonstrations in support of Iraq. Iraq is regarded as one of the closest
allies of Arafat's regime, Middle East Newsline reported.
Officials said Iraq has pressed its supporters in the West Bank and Gaza
Strip to launch a campaign in support of President Saddam Hussein and
against the United States. Several demonstrations were organized in the West
Bank and the Gaza Strip over the past month, including one in Gaza City
attended by Hamas leader Ahmed Yassin.
The demonstrations were said to have alarmed the United States.
Officials said U.S. diplomats expressed concern that anti-U.S. protests
could result in attacks on American citizens in PA areas.
Officials said the PA has warned clerics in the West Bank and Gaza Strip
against using their mosques to organize anti-American activities. They said
this includes sermons against the United States.
