OCCUPIED JERUSALEM, 19 March — US Vice President Dick Cheney’s decision not to schedule a meeting with Palestinian President Yasser Arafat during a trip to Israel provoked anger among the Palestinians yesterday, even though the American stance is not altogether a surprise.
The Palestinian Authority’s response was a threat to snub Cheney, even though senior US officials have not completely ruled out a meeting between Arafat and the vice president, who arrived yesterday afternoon. However, Cheney’s position is in keeping with the severe stance toward Arafat maintained by US President George W. Bush since he came to office.
Cheney, one of Bush’s most trusted officials, flew here as part of an 11-nation swing aimed essentially at whipping up Arab support for Washington’s “war on terrorism” and possible military action against Iraq. The American later met with the hawkish Israeli Prime Minister Ariel Sharon and was to hold talks with President Moshe Katsav, Foreign Minister Shimon Peres and Defense Minister Binyamin Ben Eliezer today.
Palestinian officials expressed surprise that Cheney would sit down to discuss peace with Sharon but not with Arafat. “We are really surprised that a US vice president coming to the region to discuss serious issues, mainly the peace process, intends to meet with one and not the other,” Palestinian Information Minister Yasser Abed Rabbo said.
“It is the first time such a thing happens, that is why we have decided that Palestinian officials will not take part in any meeting with Cheney,” he added.
Barely more than an hour after arriving in Israel yesterday, Cheney publicly called on Arafat “to live up to his commitment and renounce once and for all violence as a political weapon. Only then can an atmosphere be created that is conducive to achieving the legitimate aspirations of the Palestinian people.”
The Israeli-Palestinian high security commission convened under the aegis of US envoy Anthony Zinni, who is on his third mission to the region aiming to bring about a cease-fire in the nearly 18 months of fighting. Israel planned to pull its army out of reoccupied Palestinian areas yesterday in a move that could hasten a cease-fire sought by Zinni.
Earlier in a Jerusalem hotel, Zinni convened Israeli generals and Palestinian security chiefs within the framework of the Israeli-Palestinian-Trilateral Security Committee. Zinni issued a statement saying the discussions were “professional, serious and constructive”.
Russia gave its support yesterday to a Saudi peace initiative. “We confirm our positive view of Saudi Arabia’s initiative,” the Foreign Ministry said in a statement. “We intend to continue to act in the most energetic manner to reach peace, coordinating our activities with other international mediators, including our American co-partner, the European Union, the United Nations, Egypt, Jordan, and other interested parties,” the Foreign Ministry said.
