"The roadmap is dead, but only because of Israeli military aggression in recent weeks," Arafat

RAMALLAH, September 3 (IslamOnline.net & News Agencies) – Palestinian President Yasser Arafat blamed incessant Israeli aggressions and the Bush administration’s preoccupation with Iraq and presidential elections for the "dead" roadmap.

In an off-camera interview with CNN Tuesday, September 2, from his Ramallah headquarters, Arafat stressed the "roadmap is dead, but only because of Israeli military aggression in recent weeks."

The veteran leader also underlined that Washington has not done enough to salvage the peace blueprint.

He, meanwhile, played down reported differences with his Prime Minister Mahmoud Abbas, accusing Israel of exaggerating such reports to drive a wedge within the Palestinian leadership.

Arafat told the American all-news network there was no prospect of Palestinian resistance groups resuming their unilaterally declared cease-fire with Israel.

The Hamas movement, Islamic Jihad and other Palestinian factions announced a truce on June 29, but called it off after Israel assassinated Hamas senior political leader Ismail Abu Shanab.

The roadmap, brokered by the United States, United Nations, European Union and Russia, stipulates the establishment of a viable Palestinian state side by side with Israel by 2005.

Committed

Meanwhile, a senior advisor to Arafat confirmed Wednesday, September 3, commitment to the roadmap.

"The Palestinians continue to respect the roadmap, and it still exists," Nabil Abu Rudeina told Agence France-Presse (AFP).

"We appeal to the quartet (the United States, European Union, United Nations and Russia) to work towards its application and appeal to the world to support the Palestinian people in the face of Israel which is trying hard to destroy the roadmap," he added.

Historic Mistake

"Israel made a historic mistake by not expelling him (Arafat) some two years ago," Mofaz

In another development, Israeli Defense Minister Shaul Mofaz said Tuesday his government was to consider the expulsion of Arafat before the end of this year, claiming he was an obstacle to peace.

"Arafat never wanted to reach an agreement with us," he said, adding the Palestinian leader "needs to disappear from the stage of history."

According to Mofaz, "Israel made a historic mistake by not expelling him (Arafat) some two years ago and we had more than a few opportunities to do this."

Asked about Israeli future plans for Arafat, the Israeli minister said "we will need to address this matter in a relatively short space of time, very possibly even this year."

Mofaz told the Israeli Army Radio the Israeli government had to "find the right moment" before making such a move without damaging Abbas.

The Israeli minister, who is a former chief of staff, has consistently regretted not expelling Arafat at the height of the Intifada against the Israeli occupation, which broke out in September 2000.

According to media reports, the majority of Israeli Premier Ariel Sharon's cabinet is in favor of expelling Arafat but the security services have warned that he could have more of a "capacity for nuisance" in exile.

The Israeli opposition Labor Party said in response that Mofaz displayed a "lack of national responsibility" with his comments about Arafat, reported the Israeli daily Haaretz.

It warned that such statements could ignite the Arab world and spark violent clashes.

In recent weeks, Washington has ramped up pressure on Arafat to turn over the entire Palestinian security apparatus to Abbas in order to rein in resistance attacks against Israeli occupation forces.

U.S. Wants Clarification

Washington’s opposition to Arafat’s expulsion "has not changed," Boucher

Washington sought clarification from Israel over Mofaz’s threat, State Department officials said.

The officials said they wanted to know whether Mofaz had been speaking personally or was reflecting the view of Sharon's government.

"Before we respond, we need to know the context," one official said.

Another official said U.S. diplomats in Israel were making inquiries about the remarks but could not say to whom the questions had been addressed.

State Department spokesman Richard Boucher said Washington was aware of Mofaz's remarks and commented: "Our view on that has not changed."

Pressed, he said that the last time the question of Arafat's expulsion had arisen, the U.S. had opposed the idea and had been pleased when Israel said they did not plan to do so.

"I don't know when the last time was, but our view was that that was the right decision," Boucher said.