Arafat orders halt to peace talks due to war on Iraq
|
SPECIAL TO WORLD TRIBUNE.COM
Wednesday, April 2, 2003
RAMALLAH Ñ The Palestinian Authority has suspended formal
negotiations with Israel and the United States on the launch of a renewal of
peace efforts and the establishment of an independent state.
Palestinian officials said PA Chairman Yasser Arafat has ordered a halt
to all open contacts with Israel and the United States on the so-called
roadmap, which outlines steps for an end to the Israeli-Palestinian war and
the establishment of a Palestinian state. Officials quoted Arafat as saying
that the suspension of peace efforts would continue until the end of the
U.S.-led war in Iraq.
"Arafat does not want to show Iraq that the United States is a
legitimate partner while it is destroying Baghdad," a PA official said. "So
right now, everything is on hold."
Is Group-think Rational?
Those who believe that an unplanned, random "Big Bang" explosion of unknown matter caused the formation of the numberless bodies of the cosmos should be able to answer the following questions: Read on . . .
Officials expect formal talks on the roadmap to resume by the end of the
month, Middle East Newsline reported. Despite its support for Iraqi President Saddam Hussein, the PA
expects the United States to destroy his regime within the next two weeks.
Arafat, however, has discussed the roadmap with non-U.S.
representatives. On late Tuesday, the PA chairman met European Union envoy
Miguel Moratinos in Ramallah. Arafat's spokesman, Nabil Abu Rudeineh, said
the chairman accused Israel of continuing attacks on Palestinians.
Abu Rudeineh, however, did not refer to the roadmap. On Thursday,
representatives from the United States, United Nations, EU and Russia plan
to discuss the roadmap in Brussels.
|