GAZA STRIP: YASSER ARAFAT MEETS WARREN CHRISTOPHER скачать в хорошем качестве

GAZA STRIP: YASSER ARAFAT MEETS WARREN CHRISTOPHER

(13 Jan 1996) English/Nat PLO Chairman Yasser Arafat has renewed his commitment to combatting terrorism in the run-up to next week's elections in the region. Arafat was speaking after meeting with U-S Secretary of State Warren Christopher on Saturday in the Gaza Strip. They discussed the Palestinian Autonomous zone, its economic situation and the elections. Christopher is visiting the Middle East as part of the ongoing U-S brokered peace agreement between Israel and Syria. Yasser Arafat arrived at a converted Israeli police station at the Erez Checkpoint in Gaza Strip to meet with Warren Christopher. Christopher had already arrived in Gaza from Jerusalem where he spent the night after meeting Syrian President Hafez al-Assad in Damascus on Friday. Christopher and Arafat discussed the Palestinian Autonomous zone, its economic situation and preparations for the forthcoming elections in the region. The P-L-O leader praised diplomatic efforts in the Mideast peace process so far. SOUNDBITE: I have the opportunity to thank his excellency for what he is doing to push the peace process. Not only with the Palestinians, not only with the Jordanians, not only with the Egyptians but also with the Syrians and the Lebanese so that we can have comprehensive lasting peace resolution in the world area. SUPER CAPTION: Yasser Arafat, P-L-O Chair The Israeli Government has ceded control of Gaza and most of the West Bank to the P-L-O. The first elections under the new Palestinian self-rule authority will be held on January 20. SOUNDBITE: As we all know, as the Chairman just said, just one week from now there will be a major milestone when the Palestinians go to the polls to elect their governing council and their leader. We spent a good deal of time this morning discussing the election. Certainly an historic opportunity for the Palestinians to take the major step in building a democratic society. I congratulate the Chairman and the people of the area for their efforts in this regard. Of course its important that the elections to be free and fair and as the Chairman has mentioned there will be a number of groups observing the elections here. The United States group headed by former President Carter and of course our Consulate in East Jerusalem will be observing the elections as well. SUPER CAPTION: Warren Christopher, United States Secretary of State The U-S Secretary of State highlighted Yasser Arafat's role in ensuring violence does not derail ongoing peace negotiations. SOUNDBITE: The Chairman has been speaking out against terrorism and I think he has been taking important steps to work with the authorities within the region to ensure that violence and terrorism will be kept to an absolute minimum. SUPER CAPTION: Warren Christopher, United States Secretary of State However critics of the Israeli government's agreements with the P-L-O question Arafat's commitment to combatting terrorism. This is one of the issues to be discussed by Christopher when he meets Israeli Prime Minister Shimon Peres on Saturday night. Find out more about AP Archive: http://www.aparchive.com/HowWeWork Twitter:   / ap_archive   Facebook:   / aparchives   ​​ Instagram:   / apnews   You can license this story through AP Archive: http://www.aparchive.com/metadata/you...