Arafat Offer of Talks With Israel Spurned

Israeli and U.S. officials Monday rejected a reported offer by Yasser Arafat to participate in direct talks with the Jewish state, a proposal that appeared to mark a tactical retreat on the part of the PLO leader.

“I accept talks with the Israelis in the presence of the five permanent members of the (U.N.) Security Council at the negotiating table because I want a guarantee, and I need the pressure of the five on Israel,” Arafat was quoted in the Paris newspaper Le Figaro.

Arafat’s comments marked the first time he has publicly called for a direct dialogue between the Palestine Liberation Organization and Israel.

Arafat in the past had insisted on an international conference to solve the Palestinian question. But although Israel and the United States favor direct discussions between Palestinians and Israelis, Israel has refused any talks with Arafat or his PLO.

“We have said repeatedly we do not deal with terrorist organizations,” an Israeli Foreign Ministry official said, speaking on condition of anonymity.

Arafat said he could not accept Palestinians chosen from inside the Israeli-occupied territories to represent Palestinians in talks with Israel.

“At least he’s honest about his reasons for wanting the (Security) Council involved,” said a U.S. official who spoke on condition of anonymity. “He wants pressure on Israel, and that’s exactly why the United States and Israel don’t like that idea.”