Arafat-Clinton meet crucial

By Sridhar Krishnaswami

WASHINGTON, JAN. 2. The scheduled meeting later today of the U.S. President, Mr. Bill Clinton and the Palestinian leader, Mr. Yasser Arafat, is being billed as crucial, three weeks before the American President leaves office.

Not much is being said about the ``urgent'' trip of the Palestinian leader but agency reports say that the visit materialised after an hour-long telephone conversation between Mr. Arafat and Mr. Clinton. Mr. Arafat is visiting Washington to get a response to some questions raised by the Palestinian side, it is being reported.

According to a report, during the conversation, the Palestinian leader apparently told the U.S. President not to pressure him on any issue and that a formal response to what has already been put forth will come only after certain clarifications have been made. ``It does not necessarily mean that the Palestinians will give their response in Washington, but the meeting with Mr. Clinton will be decisive,'' a senior Palestinian official has been quoted as saying. The White House, while confirming the meeting of the leaders, said it would help ensure a ``common understanding of the parameters'' the President had put forth.

In the course of the several peace initiatives of the Clinton administration, the Palestinians have consistently raised serious questions on core issues such as the future of Jerusalem, the Jewish settlements and the fate of the Palestinian refugees. The Palestinian side has reservations on an American proposal to give limited soverignty over parts of Jerusalem, including the Temple Mount in exchange for relinquishing the right of return of refugees to Israel. What has complicated the issue is the continuing violence in the region which will have an impact on the elections to be held in Israel on February 6.

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Section  : International
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