US Vice President Dick Cheney’s decision not to meet with Palestinian leader Yasser Arafat during his visit in Israel provoked anger among the Palestinian leadership Monday.
The Palestinian Authority’s response was a threat to snub Cheney, even though top US officials have not completely ruled out a meeting between Arafat and the vice president, who arrived in Tel Aviv Monday afternoon. However, Cheney’s position is in keeping with the severe stance toward Arafat maintained by US President George W. Bush since he came to office.
Cheney, one of Bush’s most trusted officials, flew to Tel Aviv as part of an 11-nation tour aimed at winning Arab backing for Washington’s “war on terrorism” and possible military action against Iraq. The American later met with the Israeli Prime Minister Ariel Sharon. The Prime Minister's Office said that the two discussed "regional and local matter of interest to the two countries and promoting relations between Israel and the U.S."
Palestinian officials expressed surprise that Cheney would discuss peace with Sharon but not with Arafat. “We are really surprised that a US vice president coming to the region to discuss serious issues, mainly the peace process, intends to meet with one and not the other,” Palestinian Information Minister Yasser Abed Rabbo said.
“It is the first time such a thing happens, that is why we have decided that Palestinian officials will not take part in any meeting with Cheney,” he added.
The American decision not to organize a meeting between Cheney and Arafat to drew a strict response from chief Palestinian negotiator Saeb Erakat. "How can you explain that the US vice president, who is coming to the region to look for peace, will meet with Sharon and not Arafat? "I don't know with whom he wants to make peace," Erakat told AFP.
Shortly after arriving in Israel, Cheney publicly called on Arafat “to live up to his commitment and renounce once and for all violence as a political weapon. Only then can an atmosphere be created that is conducive to achieving the legitimate aspirations of the Palestinian people.” (Albawaba.com)
© 2002 Al Bawaba (www.albawaba.com)
