Blair stance over Arafat leads papers

The controversy sparked by President Bush's demands for the Palestinian leader, Yasser Arafat, to step down, continues on Wednesday's front pages.

The Times leads with a warning Tony Blair is in danger of opening a damaging rift with America by refusing to back the president's calls.

It says Mr Blair's breakfast meeting with Mr Bush before Wednesday's G8 summit in Canada will be "a difficult encounter".

The Guardian agrees, reporting this is the first serious disagreement on foreign policy between the two leaders since the Palestinian uprising began about 21 months ago.

Sangatte row

The paper says British cabinet insiders are "exasperated" with Mr Bush's speech.

They fear the US demand for Mr Arafat's removal will only ensure the "politically weakened leader" will be re-elected next year, probably without opposition.

The Independent goes on to examine European reaction, saying the difference of view represents a "considerable problem" for the EU, which has tied its Middle East policy to that of America.

The paper quotes un-named EU officials who believe one possible outcome is for Mr Arafat to be given a "more ceremonial post", allowing a new negotiating partner to emerge for Israel.

But the same "insiders" tell the paper: "What we do not do is try to predetermine the outcome of the elections".

"Sheer Gall!" is the headline on the front of the Daily Mail, which is smarting at what it describes as a "humiliating rebuff" by the French.

They have refused to close the Sangatte refugee camp until Britain sorts out its own asylum system.

The paper argues the setback has given "fresh impetus" to David Blunkett's plans to press ahead with ID cards.

This is because some claim Britain's lack of identification papers makes it an attractive destination for bogus asylum seekers.

'Mr Lucky'

The Sun leads with a tale of extraordinary luck.

Les Carvell, who won more than a million pounds on the National Lottery, then bet £5 on a horse-racing accumulator.

The headline says it all: "I'm Mr Lucky" - after all the horses romped home to net him another £74,500.

While he will not be betting on the World Cup, he tells the paper Wimbledon's worth a flutter with a £50 bet on Tim Henman.

The tennis star himself is pictured on the front of The Independent lunging for a ball during his first-round victory over Jean-Francois Bachelot on Tuesday.

The Times also awards him front-page status -- showing him in action on Court One.

'Tense' tennis

It argues the number of St George's crosses being waved or worn was manifest proof "the nation's hope of glory, so lately dashed on the turf of Japan, is now concentrated on a small patch of grass in south west London".

It goes on to suggest that, with fans' blood pressure likely to be high for the rest of the tournament, perhaps it should be renamed the "Wimbledon Tense Championships".

But it is The Daily Telegraph's "Matt" cartoon which perhaps best sums up the public mood.

With Wimbledon on the television in the background, a husband gets up from the sofa to make his way out of the room.

He tells his wife: "I've just come out of a difficult World Cup - and I don't want to be hurt again."