WASHINGTON, April 7 (IslamOnline & News Agencies) – As Israel continues to ignore U.S. demands to withdraw from invaded Palestinain lands “without delay”, U.S. Secretary of State Colin Powell said Sunday that if circumstances permitted, he would seek to speak with Palestinian leader Yasser Arafat.
"If circumstances permit, if an opportunity presents itself, I will try to see Arafat as well as other Palestinian officials," Powell told "Meet the Press" ahead of his departure later Sunday for the region.
He did not address, however, what those circumstances may be as analysts in Washington question whether he would kowtow to Israeli demands to completely disengage Arafat.
“This is going to be a difficult trip. I am not going to come back with a peace treaty in hand. I may not even come back with a cease-fire…but I am going there to try [to help],” Powell continued.
Powell added he had spoken earlier Sunday morning with Prime Minister Ariel Sharon about President George W. Bush's demand that the Israeli army begins its withdrawal of troops that had rolled into Palestinian areas nine days prior.
Israel yesterday responded to Bush’s demand that they “withdraw without delay” by stating that they would only withdraw when they had ”accomplished their mission.”
Major-General Dan Halutz, commander of the Israeli air force, said “Operation Defensive Wall”, as it is called, could not be rushed. "The armed forces need time, more time," he said.
U.S. officials said Bush made a personal phone call to Sharon on Saturday to press for quick action.
The Palestinian leadership said in a statement Sunday that Bush's failure to fix a firm date "encourages Sharon and gives him the green light to carry out further war crimes."
“It is very clear that Sharon will continue to defy Bush’s requests,” Hanan Ashrawi, Arab League spokeswoman, told MSNBC Sunday.
The Palestinians charged Washington was encouraging its close ally to continue the 10-day offensive, echoing skepticism over the timing of Powell's visit. Powell leaves Washington on Sunday but will not make it to Israel until Friday after stopping in five other nations first.
But Ron Leshem, a correspondent for Israel's top-selling Yediot Aharonot newpaper, was allowed into the Jenin refugee camp with Israeli troops on Saturday.
"Helicopter gunships fire missiles, the tanks fire shells, the machine-guns leave paths of fire and sparks," he reported. "On the ground are hundreds of bombs, a few car bombs, dozens of snipers and piles of rubble."
The Palestinians said the previous day that the ferocious assault on Nablus and Jenin, where the Israelis encountered heavy Palestinian resistance, amounted to a "massacre."
They said dozens of wounded lay bloodied in the streets, unable to receive help because the Israelis had blocked ambulances, and asked world leaders to intervene.
Thus far, over 1,600 Palestinians have been killed in the 19 month-long Intifada against illegal Israeli occupation.
Palestinian information minister Yasser Abed Rabbo said 35 Palestinians were killed Saturday in Jenin. The Israeli army said it had killed 30 Palestinians in Nablus since Friday.
At least another 13 Palestinians were killed Sunday, including two in the Gaza Strip.
