Sunday, September 22, 2002

U.S. Says Israeli Seige of Arafat 'Not Helpful'
The White House said Sunday that Israel's assault on Yasser Arafat's compound did not help the Mideast peace process and that Palestinian hopes for an independent state are greatly harmed by suicide attacks.

``Israel's actions in and around the (Arafat compound) are not helpful in reducing terrorist violence or promoting Palestinian reforms,'' White House spokeswoman Jeanne Mamo said on the third day of the Israeli operation at Arafat's once-sprawling headquarters, where the sole building left standing was the one housing Arafat.

``We urge Israel to continue considering the consequences of its actions on progress'' in reaching goals President Bush has set: Arafat's ouster in upcoming Palestinian elections and creation of a Palestinian state within three years that exists peacefully with Israel.

Mamo added that ``it is also important for Palestinians to understand that terrorist violence does grave damage to Palestinian aspirations for a Palestinian state.''

``We condemn in the strongest possible the terrorist attacks that occurred in Israel last week,'' Mamo said.

Mamo said the White House saw progress in recent months toward Bush's goals. But renewed Israel-Palestinian violence complicates the administration's effort to rally world opinion for the ouster of Iraqi leader Saddam Hussein.

The White House's words of warning to Israel were also notable because during other recent waves of violence, the Bush administration has generally criticized Palestinian suicide attacks far more sharply than Israeli retaliations.

The Israeli assault on Arafat's compound left him surrounded, and some U.S. officials worried that it could allow him to cast himself as a victim and a hero.
http://www.nytimes.com/aponline/national/AP-US-Mideast.html

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