Arafat sees active role for India

By K. K. Katyal

NEW DELHI, DEC. 22. In a letter to the Prime Minister, Mr. Atal Behari Vajpayee, the Palestinian President, Mr. Yasser Arafat, has made a case for India's active help at regional and international levels to resolve the present crisis resulting from Israel's ``aggression''. Described in diplomatic circles as detailed in content and highly warm in tone, the letter specifies ways in which New Delhi could play a useful role. The issues arising out of the letter have since figured in informal exchanges through diplomatic channels.

Mr. Arafat lists three areas in which India could use its weight and influence for resolving tensions in West Asia - one, it could be of help in the Non-Aligned Movement and at the U.N. in ensuring expeditious functioning of the fact-finding mission, set up at the October summit in Egypt; two, it could use its influence in the creation of an observers force (or the protection force) under the auspices of the U.N.; and, three, it could throw its weight behind efforts for honest implementation of the U.N. resolutions on the Palestine-Israel problem and, thus, help revive the peace process.

The letter is a sequel to inquiries by India as to how it could help resolve the crisis, as had repeatedly been stated by Mr. Arafat in his statements. Some time back, Mr. K. V. Rajan, Secretary, External Affairs Ministry, during his visit to West Asia, called on Mr. Arafat and gave him a letter from Mr. Vajpayee. The Prime Minister's letter, it seems, sought elaboration of the Palestinian leader's suggestions about India's role.

The decision to set up the fact-finding mission was taken at the summit in Sharm-el-Sheikh, Egypt, brokered by the U.S. President, Mr. Bill Clinton, in response to Mr. Arafat's demand for establishing the cause of the latest round of violence. The five- member commission, headed by a former U.S. Senator, Mr. George Mitchel, had started its work but was caught up in Israel's domestic political turmoil. The consequent slow- down in its functioning was not to the liking of the Palestinians who had counted on it for hauling up the Israelis before a war crimes tribunal.

The idea of establishing a U.N. protection force, too, was mooted by Palestine but it was strongly resisted by Israel, which launched a major diplomatic offensive to stall its creation. In any case, this issue has been overshadowed by the renewed efforts of Mr. Clinton to use the last few days of his presidency to stabilise the fragile ceasefire. The Palestinian leader would like India not only to support the move for the protection force but also to take part in it, when it is set up.

Mr. Arafat has often stated that he regards India, because of its standing and influence, as morally a de facto member of the U.N. Security Council and would like it to throw its weight on the side of restoration of peace in West Asia.

India has repeatedly stated that it would associate itself with any effort that helps to build confidence-building measures. It will take part in any exercise seeking to end violence and restore the peace process that has the approval of the two sides. This point has been conveyed to them through diplomatic channels and during bilateral contacts at various levels.

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