Sharon terms to end raids

GAZA CITY, SEPT. 16. The Israeli Prime Minister, Mr. Ariel Sharon, today in Jerusalem offered to end army raids against the self-rule territories if the Palestinian leader, Mr. Yasser Arafat, declares a ceasefire.

``If Arafat declares a ceasefire, I will order a halt to all military operations. This is what I will submit to my Cabinet and I am sure to obtain its approval,'' Mr. Sharon said in a speech to Parliament.

``If there are 48 hours of absolute calm, Mr. Shimon Peres will meet Mr. Arafat to further discuss a ceasefire,'' he said.

Mr. Sharon said the aim of the meeting would be to ``reach the seven-day period of calm, which is a prerequisite for the implementation of the Mitchell plan and the easing of sanctions on the Palestinian population''.

Meanwhile, Israeli tanks thrust into the centre of Palestinian- ruled Ramallah early today, firing rounds while helicopters launched missiles from the air, Palestinian witnesses said.

The witnesses said Palestinian policemen returned fire as helicopters swooped low over the city. They said tanks had entered the West Bank town from up to four different locations, some stopping a few metres from the Palestinian Legislative Council building.

Loudspeakers in mosques called on residents of Ramallah to resist the Israeli incursion, witnesses said. The Israeli army declined immediate comment. An army spokeswoman said she was checking the report.

Hopes of ending almost a year of West Asia violence weakened yesterday after Israel called off tentatively scheduled truce talks with the Palestinian President, Mr. Yasser Arafat.

However, Mr. Arafat today offered to meet Israel's Foreign Minister ``any place, any time,'' a day after Mr. Sharon vetoed such a meeting.

- Reuters

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Section  : International
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