Arafat Says He Won't Step Aside
``It is not only up to me. It will be up to many people,'' Arafat said in an interview with The Associated Press and Bahrain television at his Ramallah compound. He has been periodically confined to the compound for months, ringed by Israeli tanks and soldiers. ``This has to be decided in our senior leadership.''

In remarks that left room for interpretation in both directions, Arafat also said it would be cowardly to step down.

``I have been elected by the people. I am not a coward. I'm not ready to betray the people who elected me,'' Arafat said.

If he did decide to run and was voted out of office, Arafat said he would ``respect our democracy.'' He said the legislative and leadership elections planned for January would be monitored by international observers.

He said reforms of the Palestinian Authority demanded by the United States were already underway and that he would welcome international participation and support in furthering the process.

When asked how he felt about the U.S. demand for reform, Arafat said he understood that Bush had supported some of the reforms being made. He cited the changes in the Palestinian security forces, which have now been brought under the supervision of a new interior minister.

Arafat said he wanted the United States' support in the reforms, but refused to be more specific.

He said a Palestinian delegation would meet with Israeli leaders on Saturday to discuss ``many issues.''

After a months-long hiatus, high-level talks started last week between Foreign Minister Shimon Peres and members of Arafat's Cabinet, primarily dealing with easing the economic situation in the Palestinian territories.

Upbeat about the renewed contact, Arafat said he believed further progress could be made if Prime Minister Ariel Sharon ``will give them the mandate.''
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