Fatah movement declared Tuesday that it opposes attacks on civilians in Israel, and would try to prevent such violence.
However, in a three-page leaflet, Fatah left open the possibility of continued attacks on Israelis in the West Bank and Gaza Strip.
On his part, senior Fatah official, Hussein a-Sheikh, told Reuters that his movement had reservations about the draft and said the document had not yet been finalized.
"We told the Europeans that we had reservations about the document and we had yet to complete the internal dialogue to reach a final decision," a-Sheikh added.
"I do not have a date or time for the release -- maybe hours, maybe days," he said. A-Sheikh accused EU officials of leaking the document, which was published in full on the Israeli Ha'aretz daily Web site.
A-Sheikh stated any halt to attacks on Israeli civilians would only be implemented "on the condition that Israel stops its assassinations and its assaults on our lands and people."
In Tuesday's leaflet, Fatah said "we reject and will prevent all attacks on Israeli civilians to preserve the higher national interest of the Palestinian people and in accordance with our moral values and tolerant religion."
However, Fatah said it would continue resisting Israel's occupation of the West Bank and Gaza.
Israel Radio reported Tuesday that the announcement was the result of two weeks of intensive negotiations between Fatah leaders and EU officials led by special envoy Alastair Crooke.
It said the initiative would include the Al Aqsa Martyrs Brigade, the military wing of Fatah.
The move to call for a halt to attacks follows a Monday speech by Arafat to the Palestinian parliament, in which Arafat condemned all operations targeting civilians, stating that strikes against Israeli civilians were counterproductive to the Palestinian cause. (Albawaba.com)
© 2002 Al Bawaba (www.albawaba.com)
