Israel balks at Arafat security plan

Associated Press And The Washington Post

RAMALLAH, West Bank — Responding to growing U.S. pressure to fight terror, Yasser Arafat presented CIA Director George Tenet with a plan Tuesday for restructuring the unwieldy Palestinian security apparatus. Israel called the proposals "worthless."

Meanwhile, early today, a powerful car bomb went off next to a bus in northern Israel during the morning rush hour, killing at least seven and injuring at least 20, police told Israeli radio. Further information was not available.

The Palestinian leader appointed a 73-year-old general to head the new security array, but Israel said the proposed changes are largely cosmetic because Arafat, who has done little to rein in militants in the past, remains in charge. Some Palestinians also were skeptical, because the reform would still leave six different security branches.

The Tenet visit appears to be aimed at laying groundwork for a decision by President Bush on whether, how and where to intervene forcefully in Middle East diplomacy. The focus of that decision will shift next week to Washington, with the arrival of Egypt’s president, Hosni Mubarak, this week.

Mubarak will recommend that the U.S. administration set a timetable for creation of a Palestinian state, an aide said Tuesday.

The plan Arafat presented to Tenet calls for cutting the number of Palestinian security services in half. They would include police, border guards, internal security and external security, military intelligence and Arafat’s personal guard unit.

Despite calls from Palestinians that Arafat turn over effective control of the security apparatus to a Cabinet member, he will maintain his grip through establishment of a supreme security council that will answer to him. Abdel Razak Yehiyeh, one of Arafat’s old comrades in arms, will head the council. Yehiyeh, 73, led one of Arafat’s armed organizations, the Palestinian Liberation Army, when the Palestine Liberation Organization operated in exile.

Israeli media reported that Tenet told Arafat the reform plan was unacceptable, and that Arafat must appoint an interior minister, a post Arafat has held since the Palestinian Authority was established in 1994.

Israeli Prime Minister Ariel Sharon, meanwhile, gave in to pressure to prevent suicide bombings and approved construction of a fence between part of the West Bank and Israel, defying supporters who fear it would lead to Israel’s giving up most of the territory.

Also, a well-placed U.S. official said the Bush administration is planning for a Mideast peace conference next month in Turkey.