Palestinian premier hoping to develop truce with Israel

ABU DIS, West Bank -- A quick push to reach a truce with Israel,but no crackdown on militants despite U.S. pressure -- that's howPalestinian Prime Minister Ahmed Qureia summed up his agenda in aninterview with The Associated Press on Monday, a day after takingoffice.

Qureia's basic approach differs little from that of hispredecessor, Mahmoud Abbas, who also wanted to end the Israeli-Palestinian violence but resigned in frustration last month, afterjust four months in office.

Like Abbas, Qureia appears to have no formula for breaking thedeadlock with Israel that has frozen the U.S.-backed "road map" peaceplan: Israel refuses to move forward until the Palestinians dismantlearmed groups that have killed hundreds of Israelis in the past threeyears. The United States has largely backed Israel, but appears readyto work with Qureia, a pragmatic and skilled politician, despiteconcerns about his close ties to Palestinian leader Yasser Arafat.

The Palestinian prime minister is staking his hopes on negotiatinga truce with Israel and somehow bringing Hamas, Islamic Jihad andother militant organizations on board.

"We are ready, beginning from tomorrow, to sit with them (theIsraelis) to discuss reaching a comprehensive cease-fire," Qureiasaid in the interview in a modest, booklined office in the Jerusalemsuburb of Abu Dis in the West Bank -- his first with a Western newsorganization since taking office. The move to the prime minister'sbuilding in the West Bank town of Ramallah is not expected foranother few days.

Hamas and Islamic Jihad -- whose unilateral June 29 trucedisintegrated six weeks later in a burst of violence -- have saidrepeatedly they will not lay down their arms.

In the latest violence, an Islamic Jihad suicide bomber killed 19Israelis on Saturday in the port city of Haifa. Hamas, meanwhile, hasthreatened more attacks as reprisal for Israel's airstrike Sunday ona suspected Islamic Jihad training base in Syria, meant asretribution for the Haifa bombing.

Israel says publicly that it will not begin truce talks until thePalestinian security forces take some action against armed groups. Inprivate, Israeli security officials are debating whether they shouldsettle for lesser measures, such as closing down the tunnels ofweapons smugglers, or insist key militants be arrested as aprerequisite for truce talks.

Israel itself is in violation of the road map, which calls forconcurrent implementation of all obligations, including a freeze onIsraeli settlements in the West Bank and Gaza.

Qureia said Monday he would not buckle under American or Israelidictates. "We accepted the road map. We will implement it," he said."But I will not receive instructions, 'be tough' or 'be flexible.'This is my work. It's my business."

The 66-year-old premier hopes to impose order in the Palestinianareas and end what he has called the "chaos of weapons," but said hehas not yet worked out a security plan.

However, he is adamant there will be no clampdown on militants."We will not confront, we will not go for a civil war," he said."It's not in our interest. It's not in the interest of our people,and it's not in the interest of the peace process."

President Bush, asked at a White House news conference Monday ifhe could work with a Palestinian prime minister who would not useforce against militants, said the Palestinian Authority must do moreto fight terror and "must use whatever means is necessary. ... Allparties must assume responsibility."

Qureia said he is working to unify the eight security forces underone command, as demanded by the United States. In the past, four ofthe branches were under Arafat's control and four under Abbas'.Wrangling over the security forces helped push Abbas to resign.

Under a new arrangement, a 13-member National Security Councilheaded by Arafat will set policy, to be carried out by the newinterior minister, Nasser Yousef, who will direct all eight branches.Qureia, Yousef and other Cabinet ministers will also serve on theSecurity Council.

"I think it's a significant step toward uniting the Palestiniansecurity forces," Qureia said, though it remains unclear how much ofa role Arafat will have in setting policy.

Israel and the United States have accused Arafat of blocking anyaction against armed groups. They have sought to sideline the veteranPalestinian leader as an obstacle to peace, accusing him ofencouraging terrorism.

Qureia became close to Arafat in the 1970s as the PLO's banker andcontinues to have a solid relationship with him. While Arafat andAbbas sometimes had arguments, Qureia has said he would not openlyconfront Arafat and has been careful to defer to him in public. Itremains unclear to what degree Qureia would, or could, pursue anindependent policy.

Qureia, chosen for the prime minister's job last month, wasappointed by a decree from Arafat on Sunday night after weeks ofmaneuvering over Cabinet appointments.

In naming a government quickly, rather than waiting for a largerCabinet to be approved by Parliament on Wednesday, as initiallyplanned, Arafat apparently hoped to block any Israeli action againsthim. Following Saturday's suicide bombing, Arafat was increasinglyconcerned that Israel might make good on threats to "remove" him,most likely by expelling him.

However, Israel appears hesitant. The United States opposesexpulsion and would likely want Israel to give Qureia a chance. WereArafat to be expelled, Qureia would have little choice but to resignin a show of solidarity.

Israeli Prime Minister Ariel Sharon and Qureia have met repeatedlyin the past, and Sharon suggested recently that he can do businesswith Qureia, whom he described as a cunning politician.

Asked about holding talks with Sharon, Qureia said Monday: "I willmeet with him if this is essential and beneficial," adding that asummit should be well prepared to ensure results.

Qureia said he hopes to resume negotiations quickly, but willsettle for nothing less than a Palestinian state in all of the WestBank and Gaza Strip, with east Jerusalem as its capital; the road mapenvisions Palestinian independence by 2005, but has not delineatedborders.

"As a Palestinian, this is what I am trying to do. I am notlistening to Sharon, what he wants," he said. Sharon has proposedcreating a Palestinian state on much less land, and only after manyyears.

Qureia, who logged hundreds of hours negotiating interim peaceaccords with Israel in the past decade, is seen by many Israelis as apragmatic leader. He has maintained friendships with leaders ofIsrael's peace camp, including elder statesman Shimon Peres.

Qureia has condemned suicide bombings since being designated primeminister, and on Saturday called the mayor of Haifa to express hiscondolences.

He said both sides were responsible for the escalation in violencein the past three years, but that the Israelis shouldered greaterblame because of their tough policies.

He stopped short of saying that violence in the struggle forindependence was a mistake; a majority of Palestinians continue tosupport bombing and shooting attacks, if only to satisfy a feeling ofrevenge for the hardships caused by Israeli travel bans and militarystrikes.

"We are a people under occupation," Qureia said. "I cannotcriticize the people's choice."

Palestinian premier hoping to develop truce with Israel

ABU DIS, West Bank -- A quick push to reach a truce with Israel,but no crackdown on militants despite U.S. pressure -- that's howPalestinian Prime Minister Ahmed Qureia summed up his agenda in aninterview with The Associated Press on Monday, a day after takingoffice.

Qureia's basic approach differs little from that of hispredecessor, Mahmoud Abbas, who also wanted to end the Israeli-Palestinian violence but resigned in frustration last month, afterjust four months in office.

Like Abbas, Qureia appears to have no formula for breaking thedeadlock with Israel that has frozen the U.S.-backed "road map" peaceplan: Israel refuses to move forward until the Palestinians dismantlearmed groups that have killed hundreds of Israelis in the past threeyears. The United States has largely backed Israel, but appears readyto work with Qureia, a pragmatic and skilled politician, despiteconcerns about his close ties to Palestinian leader Yasser Arafat.

The Palestinian prime minister is staking his hopes on negotiatinga truce with Israel and somehow bringing Hamas, Islamic Jihad andother militant organizations on board.

"We are ready, beginning from tomorrow, to sit with them (theIsraelis) to discuss reaching a comprehensive cease-fire," Qureiasaid in the interview in a modest, booklined office in the Jerusalemsuburb of Abu Dis in the West Bank -- his first with a Western newsorganization since taking office. The move to the prime minister'sbuilding in the West Bank town of Ramallah is not expected foranother few days.

Hamas and Islamic Jihad -- whose unilateral June 29 trucedisintegrated six weeks later in a burst of violence -- have saidrepeatedly they will not lay down their arms.

In the latest violence, an Islamic Jihad suicide bomber killed 19Israelis on Saturday in the port city of Haifa. Hamas, meanwhile, hasthreatened more attacks as reprisal for Israel's airstrike Sunday ona suspected Islamic Jihad training base in Syria, meant asretribution for the Haifa bombing.

Israel says publicly that it will not begin truce talks until thePalestinian security forces take some action against armed groups. Inprivate, Israeli security officials are debating whether they shouldsettle for lesser measures, such as closing down the tunnels ofweapons smugglers, or insist key militants be arrested as aprerequisite for truce talks.

Israel itself is in violation of the road map, which calls forconcurrent implementation of all obligations, including a freeze onIsraeli settlements in the West Bank and Gaza.

Qureia said Monday he would not buckle under American or Israelidictates. "We accepted the road map. We will implement it," he said."But I will not receive instructions, 'be tough' or 'be flexible.'This is my work. It's my business."

The 66-year-old premier hopes to impose order in the Palestinianareas and end what he has called the "chaos of weapons," but said hehas not yet worked out a security plan.

However, he is adamant there will be no clampdown on militants."We will not confront, we will not go for a civil war," he said."It's not in our interest. It's not in the interest of our people,and it's not in the interest of the peace process."

President Bush, asked at a White House news conference Monday ifhe could work with a Palestinian prime minister who would not useforce against militants, said the Palestinian Authority must do moreto fight terror and "must use whatever means is necessary. ... Allparties must assume responsibility."

Qureia said he is working to unify the eight security forces underone command, as demanded by the United States. In the past, four ofthe branches were under Arafat's control and four under Abbas'.Wrangling over the security forces helped push Abbas to resign.

Under a new arrangement, a 13-member National Security Councilheaded by Arafat will set policy, to be carried out by the newinterior minister, Nasser Yousef, who will direct all eight branches.Qureia, Yousef and other Cabinet ministers will also serve on theSecurity Council.

"I think it's a significant step toward uniting the Palestiniansecurity forces," Qureia said, though it remains unclear how much ofa role Arafat will have in setting policy.

Israel and the United States have accused Arafat of blocking anyaction against armed groups. They have sought to sideline the veteranPalestinian leader as an obstacle to peace, accusing him ofencouraging terrorism.

Qureia became close to Arafat in the 1970s as the PLO's banker andcontinues to have a solid relationship with him. While Arafat andAbbas sometimes had arguments, Qureia has said he would not openlyconfront Arafat and has been careful to defer to him in public. Itremains unclear to what degree Qureia would, or could, pursue anindependent policy.

Qureia, chosen for the prime minister's job last month, wasappointed by a decree from Arafat on Sunday night after weeks ofmaneuvering over Cabinet appointments.

In naming a government quickly, rather than waiting for a largerCabinet to be approved by Parliament on Wednesday, as initiallyplanned, Arafat apparently hoped to block any Israeli action againsthim. Following Saturday's suicide bombing, Arafat was increasinglyconcerned that Israel might make good on threats to "remove" him,most likely by expelling him.

However, Israel appears hesitant. The United States opposesexpulsion and would likely want Israel to give Qureia a chance. WereArafat to be expelled, Qureia would have little choice but to resignin a show of solidarity.

Israeli Prime Minister Ariel Sharon and Qureia have met repeatedlyin the past, and Sharon suggested recently that he can do businesswith Qureia, whom he described as a cunning politician.

Asked about holding talks with Sharon, Qureia said Monday: "I willmeet with him if this is essential and beneficial," adding that asummit should be well prepared to ensure results.

Qureia said he hopes to resume negotiations quickly, but willsettle for nothing less than a Palestinian state in all of the WestBank and Gaza Strip, with east Jerusalem as its capital; the road mapenvisions Palestinian independence by 2005, but has not delineatedborders.

"As a Palestinian, this is what I am trying to do. I am notlistening to Sharon, what he wants," he said. Sharon has proposedcreating a Palestinian state on much less land, and only after manyyears.

Qureia, who logged hundreds of hours negotiating interim peaceaccords with Israel in the past decade, is seen by many Israelis as apragmatic leader. He has maintained friendships with leaders ofIsrael's peace camp, including elder statesman Shimon Peres.

Qureia has condemned suicide bombings since being designated primeminister, and on Saturday called the mayor of Haifa to express hiscondolences.

He said both sides were responsible for the escalation in violencein the past three years, but that the Israelis shouldered greaterblame because of their tough policies.

He stopped short of saying that violence in the struggle forindependence was a mistake; a majority of Palestinians continue tosupport bombing and shooting attacks, if only to satisfy a feeling ofrevenge for the hardships caused by Israeli travel bans and militarystrikes.

"We are a people under occupation," Qureia said. "I cannotcriticize the people's choice."