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Palestinians want UN to protect Arafat

A handout photograph Palestinian President Yasser Arafat waving and giving the 'V' sign to thousands of his supporters who cram his headquarters, known as the ``Muqata'' on Saturday in a show of support against the Israeli cabinet announcement that Arafat should be ``removed''. In the background damage to the compound caused by Israeli tanks and bulldozers can be seen. PHOTO: REUTERS

The Palestinians are urging the UN to demand that Israel ensures Yasser Arafat's safety and key Security Council members are pushing both parties to implement the peace plan known as the "road map."

The council scheduled an open meeting yesterday on the situation in the Middle East amid mounting criticism of the decision by Israel's security Cabinet on Thursday to "remove" Arafat in a manner and time to be decided.

The statement Sunday by Israel's Vice Prime Minister Ehud Olmert that killing Arafat is a possibility was certain to intensify the Palestinian demand for speedy UN action.

The council began consultations on a resolution drafted by the Palestinians late Friday and then adjourned until yesterday, despite Palestinian pressure for a quick vote.

Council ambassadors said they wanted to consult their capitals and wait for the outcome of Secretary-General Kofi Annan's meeting in Geneva on Saturday with the foreign ministers of the five permanent council nations -- the US, Russia, China, Britain and France.

In the interim, the council issued a press statement expressing "the view that the removal of chairman Arafat would be unhelpful and should not be implemented."

The statement, read by the council president, British Ambassador Emyr Jones Parry, reflected the consensus among the 15 council members.

US Secretary of State Colin Powell said Sunday that Israel would incite rage not only among Arabs but also Muslims everywhere by exiling or executing Arafat.

Deputy US ambassador James Cunningham made clear on Friday that Washington's primary aim is to get the peace process back on track.

"Our view is that we should focus on trying to get people focussed on implementing the road map, and that this isn't the right time to be looking at a Security Council resolution," he said.

After Saturday's meeting in Geneva, Annan announced that the four parties that drafted the road map -- the US, the UN, the EU and Russia -- have agreed to meet in New York later this month to consider "all relevant aspects of the issue" and help Israel and the Palestinians move forward with the peace process.

"The permanent ministers of the Security Council recognized that both sides have obligations under the ... road map and ... that it is now essential to go ahead with its implementation," Annan said.

No date was announced for the meeting, but it is likely to take place when ministers are at the UN for the high-level General Assembly meeting which starts on Sept. 23.

Recent attacks by both sides have stalled progress on implementing the road map, which envisions a Palestinian state by 2005, and Israel's threat against Arafat has heightened tensions.

The Palestinian UN envoy Nasser al-Kidwa said the council must take an immediate stand "when illegal actions are taken by member states."

The Palestinian draft "demands that Israel, the occupying power, desist from any act of deportation and to cease any threat to the safety of the elected president of the Palestinian Authority."

It calls for the cessation of violence -- including all acts of terror, provocation, incitement and destruction -- and increased efforts by both sides to ensure implementation of the road map.

It also would reiterate the council's concern over the "tragic and violent" events that have taken place since September 2000 when the latest Israeli-Palestinian clashes began, "and the recent dangerous deterioration of the situation, including the escalation in extrajudicial executions and suicide bombings."

Arye Mekel, Israel's deputy UN ambassador, told Israel Radio that the Palestinians had written the resolution in a manner to avoid a US veto. He said Israel would use the meeting as an opportunity to explain why Arafat is an obstacle to peace.

"This discussion also gives us an opportunity to explain all of Arafat's wrongdoings in the past three years ...," Mekel said.

"We will also explain that anyone who wants progress in the peace process has to work towards Arafat's removal because so long as he is in the region there is no chance that there will be progress."
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