JERUSALEM - Following an Israeli offer, Palestinian leader Yasser Arafat said yesterday he is ready for peace talks, while about 6,000 Palestinians returned to jobs in Israel for the first time in a month.
In an abrupt turnaround last week, Israeli Prime Minister Ariel Sharon said contacts were already underway with Palestinian officials, adding, We are ready to enter negotiations at any time. Sharon had previously conditioned talks on a crackdown on violent Palestinian groups responsible for attacks on Israelis.
Asked about Sharon's remarks, Arafat told reporters he would accept an offer for talks. There is no official communication
but we are ready he said after meeting a delegation of Greek lawmakers at his headquarters in the West Bank town of Ramallah.
Talks on the U.S.-backed road map peace plan have been stalled for weeks because of Palestinian bombing attacks and Israeli military operations, along with the Palestinians' inability to form a stable government.
Arafat has often said he is ready to talk peace, but Israel and the United States are boycotting him, charging that he is tainted by terrorism. They insist on dealing with an empowered prime minister.
Arafat's first choice for premier, Mahmoud Abbas, lasted only four months before resigning Sept. 6 after repeated clashes with Arafat over who would run the Palestinian security forces. Abbas also blamed Israel for its failure to stop military operations and ease restrictions.
Abbas' replacement, Ahmed Qureia, has been serving as the head of an emergency 30-day Cabinet. He too could not agree with the veteran Palestinian leader over who should be the new interior minister in charge of the armed forces.
The one-month decree runs out Tuesday. Qureia agreed to try to form a government by then, but no progress was reported. Arafat, however, promised that a new Cabinet would be put together in a few days.
The Israelis announced early Sunday that they would permit about 15,000 Palestinians to enter the country for work. A military announcement referred to confidence-building measures decided by the government.
Before dawn, about 6,200 workers over the age of 35 crowded the Erez crossing point from Gaza, submitted to strict security checks and went to jobs in Israel.
17
Archives
The Associated Press
