Bush Urges Immediate Work on Palestinian State
But Mr. Bush distanced the United States yet again from Mr. Arafat and spoke of the need to reach out to newer Palestinian leaders.

"Chairman Arafat, as far as I'm concerned, is not the issue," Mr. Bush said. "The issue is whether the Palestinian people can have a hopeful future. I have constantly said I am dissatisfied in his leadership. He has let the Palestinian people down."

I don't know about you, but I am really tired of this line from the Bush administration. Especially, the constant refrain that chairman Arafat hasn't done anything.

Arafat declared a cease-fire Dec. 16 2001 which brought about an immediate precipitate drop in the violence.

From then until Jan. 9 2002, no Israelis were killed in Palestinian attacks. 33 Palestinians were, 22 in Israeli raids.

With the exception of Hamas and Islamic Jihad, which reject peace on any terms, all other groups obeyed Arafat until the Isrealis murdered another militant on the 14th.
http://www.nytimes.com/2002/06/09/international/middleeast/09PREX.html