TITLE: Sharon Rejects Arafat Offer for Joint TV Call Against Violence

AUTHOR: Aluf Benn

PUB: Ha'aretz

DATE: April 20, 2001

Prime Minister Ariel Sharon yesterday rejected as "insufficient" a proposal by Palestinian Authority (PA) Chairman Yasser Arafat that both leaders deliver public statements calling for a halt to the violence and a renewal of the negotiations. Arafat transmitted his proposal to Sharon via the U.S. congressional allocations committee delegation, headed by Arizona Republican Senator Jim Colby, which is visiting the region. The delegation arrived in Jerusalem from Ramallah, and its members told Sharon about the message from Arafat, who said: "I am prepared to make a declaration now. Sharon and I will go together to the television." In response, Sharon said: "The solution is not in making declarations. I do not need declarations from Arafat. ... The chairman must order his forces and take practical steps to halt the violence, terror and incitement." Sharon explained that he is demanding a complete halt to the violence, because if he demands only a reduction in the violence, there will be a basis for bargaining. "If we demand a complete halt, we will get a significant reduction." Sharon told the visiting members of Congress that Israel would conduct negotiations with the PA only after a halt to the violence and terror and shooting of mortar shells, "which is initiated and directed by the organizations and security forces completely under Arafat's control." The Congressional delegation mentioned its concern over the possible leakage of American military technologies via Israel to countries of U.S. concern - primarily China. Sharon promised the U.S. Congress members he would not do anything that would compromise U.S. defense interests, and to prevent the transmission of technology to elements dangerous to the United States. END top