http://www.reuters.co.il/news2000/N2SKTCHL.HTM
| Peres says Arafat "not our enemy" - German magazine |
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BERLIN, Dec 20 (Reuters) - Israeli Foreign Minister Shimon
Peres still sees Palestinian leader Yasser Arafat as Israel's
most important negotiating partner in efforts to find peace, the
German magazine Der Spiegel said on Thursday.
"Arafat is not our enemy, he is still the most important
Palestinian leader," Peres told the weekly, according to the
text of an interview due to be published on Saturday.
"I think it is a mistake to believe there are others in
Arafat's circle who are more ready to talk peace... I agree with
U.S. Secretary of State (Colin) Powell. As long as Arafat is the
elected leader we have to deal with him," he added.
Peres repeated his belief a declaration made last week by
Israeli leader Ariel Sharon that Arafat was "irrelevant" was not
helpful to efforts to end a year of bloodshed in the country.
"Luckily our actual contacts remain undisturbed by this
(comment)," Peres said, adding however he was not currently in
direct contact with Arafat, who he said had to win back the
trust of the international community by clamping down on
militant groups.
In a separate interview with the magazine, Arafat said
Sharon's declaration was "his problem, not mine".
He blamed Sharon for the latest violence and criticised
Sharon for insisting all militants be brought under control
before a new ceasefire can begin.
"Nobody in the world can guarantee the behaviour of every
citizen. Israel has also been unable to do that, even though it
is known that those apparently responsible for some terrorist
attacks in Israel come from Israeli territory," Arafat said.
((Berlin newsroom, tel. +49 30 2888 5210))
20 DEC 2001 14:25:48
Peres says Arafat "not our enemy"- German magazine
