Statement by Palestinian Authority
The timing of this dangerous attack against Israeli civilians at a time when Sharon meets with the American president is aimed at supporting Sharon's claims it is impossible to make peace with the Palestinian people. And to stamp our people with terrorism and to excuse Sharon and his government from spilling Palestinian blood in the Jenin refugee camp and all of the areas, cities, camps and villages that did not stop until this hour.

The Palestinian leadership in front of this danger facing our people, our rights and the status of our just cause on the international level, because of these terrorist acts against Israeli civilians, decided to take effective measures against those involved in this dangerous operation and those who are standing behind it. And we will not go easy with these groups that commit these operations that harm our people and our cause severely, especially after the repeated declarations by the Palestinian leadership of its rejection and condemnation of these terrorist attacks against Israeli civilians. These attacks will allow Sharon to be armed with all the excuses to launch this bloody destructive war against our masses and to commit the massacres in the Jenin camp and other places and to continue to put into effect military escalations in the Palestinian territories.
http://www.nytimes.com/2002/05/08/international/08PTEX.html