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Arafat: Palestinian state 'this year'
Mr Arafat faces growing unrest in the territories
Palestinian leader Yasser Arafat has given his firmest pledge yet that he will declare an independent state this year, with or without a peace deal with Israel.
"I declare that there is no turning back on our decision to declare national independence within the timetable that was set by the agreements," he said in a speech to the Palestinian Legislative Council.
"I declare that there is no turning back on our decision to declare national independence within the timetable that was set by the agreements," he said in a speech to the Palestinian Legislative Council.
I declare that the year 2000 is the year for the Palestinian state with Jerusalem as its capital  |
Yasser Arafat
|
Following the announcement, Israel radio said Israeli Prime Minister Ehud Barak and Mr Arafat would meet later on Tuesday to try to relaunch stalled peace talks.
It quoted senior Israeli officials as saying Mr Barak would put forward "confidence-building measures" at the meeting.
Mr Barak's office refused to confirm or deny the report.
The Palestinian leadership had already announced it would declare independence in September, when the two sides are due to reach a final peace accord.
It quoted senior Israeli officials as saying Mr Barak would put forward "confidence-building measures" at the meeting.
Mr Barak's office refused to confirm or deny the report.
The Palestinian leadership had already announced it would declare independence in September, when the two sides are due to reach a final peace accord.
Israel will present a confidence-building package to the
Palestinians that is meant to advance the peace process |
Israeli source
|
But Mr Arafat said Israel must stop procrastinating if it wanted a say on the terms of statehood.
"This is the moment of truth. The government of Israel must stop dictating and wasting time," Mr Arafat said.
"We will only accept the implementation of the agreements and will settle for nothing less than our full rights."
Frustration
Mr Arafat's comments came just hours before US Middle East envoy Dennis Ross was due back in the region to try to revitalise stalled peace talks between Israel and the PLO.
The two sides should have reached a framework agreement by mid-February, ahead of the September deadline for a final deal.
But negotiations broke down a month ago because of differences over an interim transfer of more Israeli-occupied land in the West Bank to Palestinian self-rule.
As well as the future status of Jerusalem, the final accord is intended to deal with other sensitive issues, such as the borders of a Palestinian state, refugees and Jewish settlements.
Mr Arafat bowed to strong Arab and international pressure last May not to proceed with a unilateral declaration of independence.
Mounting frustration among Palestinians has been accompanied by a steady build-up in violent protests in the West Bank, including an attack by stone-throwing students late last month on visiting French Prime Minister Lionel Jospin.
Israeli Prime Minister, Ehud Baraq, is reported to have asked President Mubarak of Egypt to help mediate with the Palestinians.
The Egyptian leader yesterday had talks with Mr Arafat about the current difficulties hampering peace moves.
"This is the moment of truth. The government of Israel must stop dictating and wasting time," Mr Arafat said.
"We will only accept the implementation of the agreements and will settle for nothing less than our full rights."
Frustration
Mr Arafat's comments came just hours before US Middle East envoy Dennis Ross was due back in the region to try to revitalise stalled peace talks between Israel and the PLO.
The two sides should have reached a framework agreement by mid-February, ahead of the September deadline for a final deal.
 Mr Barak: accused of "cancerous" settlement-building
|
As well as the future status of Jerusalem, the final accord is intended to deal with other sensitive issues, such as the borders of a Palestinian state, refugees and Jewish settlements.
Mr Arafat bowed to strong Arab and international pressure last May not to proceed with a unilateral declaration of independence.
Mounting frustration among Palestinians has been accompanied by a steady build-up in violent protests in the West Bank, including an attack by stone-throwing students late last month on visiting French Prime Minister Lionel Jospin.
Israeli Prime Minister, Ehud Baraq, is reported to have asked President Mubarak of Egypt to help mediate with the Palestinians.
The Egyptian leader yesterday had talks with Mr Arafat about the current difficulties hampering peace moves.
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