US Weighs Political, Diplomatic Measures against Arafat
VOA News
25 Jan 2002 22:27 UTC
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The Bush administration is considering possible measures to take against Palestinian leader Yasser Arafat.

U.S. officials are said to be frustrated at Mr. Arafat's failure to stop attacks against Israel, and they say the Palestinian Authority was involved in a foiled attempt to smuggle Iranian-supplied weapons into the Gaza Strip.

President Bush and his national security advisors discussed options at the White House Friday. Later, President Bush said he is disappointed in Mr. Arafat. He said the Palestinian leader must make a full effort to rout out terror in the Middle East.

Secretary of State Colin Powell said the United States has a full range of diplomatic and political options to consider, but he refused to specify. U.S. news reports say possible actions include cutting ties with the Palestinian leader. Other options being weighed are said to be closing the Palestinian Authority's office in Washington, adding Mr. Arafat's personal security force to the State Department list of terrorist groups, or suspending efforts by U.S. envoy Anthony Zinni to arrange an Israeli-Palestinian cease-fire.

Palestinian officials expressed disappointment at the president's remarks, saying the United States should take action against Israel.

In Morocco, the Jerusalem Committee of the Islamic Conference Organization urged the United States to take action against what the committee called Israeli aggression against the Palestinian people.

Some information for this report provided by AP and AFP.

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