Outrage Over Report on Arafat Ouster
Palestinian officials were outraged Saturday by an Israeli television report claiming the army had a contingency plan to expel Palestinian leader Yasser Arafat by force.

The report, which did not cite any sources, said the plan had been approved in principle by Israeli Prime Minister Ariel Sharon and entailed a raid on Arafat's Ramallah compound by special forces who would ensure he was not harmed during the operation.

``We denounce the mere thinking of such despicable ideas,'' said Palestinian minister Saeb Erekat, speaking from Cairo, Egypt. ``At a time when we are trying to revive the peace process the Israeli government is thinking such ideas.''

In its report on the expulsion plan, Channel Two TV said Friday that Arafat would be taken from his headquarters to a waiting helicopter. He would be flown nonstop to an Arab country that has no diplomatic relations with Israel and no close ties with the United States, Israel's premier ally, the station said, naming neighboring Lebanon as a possible destination.

The report said the scenario was a contingency plan, not necessarily likely to be implemented anytime soon. Aides to Sharon have said they will stand by a commitment to Washington not to injure Arafat, but they have not ruled out expelling him.

The army and the prime minister's office would not comment on the TV report.
http://www.nytimes.com/aponline/international/AP-Israel-Palestinians.html