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Newsletter : 1fax0316.txt
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>Israel Faxx
>JN March 16, 2001, Vol. 9, No. 48
Report: Powell Left Israel with Negative Impression of Arafat
Israel Faxx Staff
Israel Radio reports that David Ivri, Israel's ambassador to the U.S., told Prime Minister Ariel Sharon that Secretary of State Colin Powell was left with a very negative impression of Palestinian Authority leader Yasir Arafat after his recent Mideast tour. A senior Bush administration member Has been quoted as saying that while the U.S. had hoped Arafat would emerge as a Nelson Mandela-like figure, he had remained a terrorist.
Israel Takes Steps to Ease Blockade of Palestinians
By Meredith Buel (VOA-Jerusalem)
Israel has taken steps to ease restrictions in the West Bank and Gaza that have paralyzed the Palestinian economy and made movement difficult within the Palestinian territories. Israel is allowing supplies, such as cement and other construction materials, into Palestinian controlled areas.
Israeli soldiers are removing roadblocks between some Palestinian towns and villages, although Palestinians are still banned from traveling into Israel. Palestinian fishermen are being allowed to return to work off the Gaza Strip.
In Jerusalem's walled Old City, many shops are closed and streets deserted as Palestinians staged a general strike to protest continuing restrictions. The easing of restrictions follows a meeting between Israeli Prime Minister Ariel Sharon and his top security officials.
In a statement, Sharon said he hopes the moves will improve the living conditions of the Palestinian population. But he accused the government of Palestinian leader Yasir Arafat of continuing involvement in violence and terrorism.
The statement says Israel will make an effort to distinguish between Palestinian civilians, and groups involved in the fighting that are under the control of the Palestinian Authority.
The statement says while Israel hopes to make life easier for the Palestinian population, no such gestures - will be made toward the Palestinian Authority and its security forces.
Sharon has been under pressure from the United States and European Union countries to ease restrictions on the Palestinians. Sharon is scheduled to meet with President Bush next week at the White House.
Palestinians have said Israel's closure of the territories amounts to collective punishment, saying the restrictions have turned some Palestinian cities into detention camps. Israel contends the blockade strengthens security after months of bloodshed.
Meanwhile, the body of a Palestinian teenager was found near the West Bank town of Qalqiliya. Residents say he was apparently shot in the head by Israeli soldiers. In another incident, at least six Palestinian children were injured when Israeli soldiers threw a stun grenade into a schoolyard in the West Bank town of Hebron.
Security Council Considers Mideast Observer Mission
By Breck Ardery (VOA-New York)
The United Nations Security Council is again considering the idea of sending international observers to monitor mideast violence. The Council met privately, in separate sessions, with both Israeli and Palestinian officials.
The first meeting involved Israeli Foreign Minister Shimon Peres who told the Council the Israeli position has not changed, that it continues to oppose the idea of an observer force in the occupied territories.
After the meeting, Peres met with reporters, saying observers would do no good, and might do harm. "Now if terror continues, what can observers do? Now, in the Security Council some of the members said, 'We will send observers with cameras.' I told them respectfully, that the West Bank and Gaza are not short of cameras, in fact cameras often introduce provocation. As soon as some terrorists see a camera, they begin acting."
He added that a planned open Security Council meeting on the violence is not a good idea because it could tend to further inflame passions.
After his private meeting with the Council, the Chief of the Palestine Observer Mission, Nasser al-Kidwa, told reporters he will continue to press for an observer force. However, he indicated a resolution to establish such a force is subject to discussion and negotiation.
He said the United States, which has opposed the observer force idea in the past, would be well advised to join in negotiations. "If the United States is ready to come on board most probably they will have more impact on the final outcome," he said. "If they are not ready to come on board, then we will have to see what is the minimum needed for us to reach agreement with other members of the Council regardless of the position of the United States."
Last December, a resolution to create an observer force in the occupied territories received eight votes in the Security Council, one less than what is needed for approval.
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