Japanese Foreign Minister Yoriko Kawaguchi rejected an appeal from US Secretary of State Colin Powell not to meet with Palestinian leader Yasser Arafat when she visits the Middle East, Israel Radio reported Sunday.
Kawaguchi is due to arrive in Israel on Sunday and was to hold political meetings on Monday.
According to the report, Powell asked that she not meet with Arafat, apparently in line with concerns that diplomatic meetings with Arafat at this time would strengthen his hand against newly designated Prime Minister Mahmud Abbas.
Kawaguchi rejected Powell's appeal.
Both Israel and the US are looking to strengthen Abbas, known as Abu-Mazen.
Earlier Sunday Israel's Prime Minister Ariel Sharon and Foreign Minister Silvan Shalom decided to drop plans to boycott diplomats who meet with Arafat, for fear it would do more damage than good to Israel. But they resolved to make it clear to all visitors of the need to reinforce the authority of Abu Mazen.
Despite this, Israel's defense ministry and the chief of staff are against a swift withdrawal of Israeli forces from reoccupied West Bank cities as a goodwill gesture to Abbas.
"We have to act prudently and for the moment there is no reason to change our policy, since we are still a long way from having a Palestinian government able to reduce the violence," Deputy Defense Minister Zeev Boim told army radio.
"In the past our efforts have been let down, which is why we should not hurry and act with a stopwatch in our hand under such and such a pressure," Boim added.
Meanwhile, Abu Mazen said Sunday he will not meet foreign leaders abroad until Israel lifts its travel ban on Yasser Arafat. Abbas' appointment still awaits approval by the Palestinian parliament.
Abbas told The Associated Press on Sunday that he would not make any trips unless Arafat is also free to travel. "I will not leave the country and I will not visit anywhere before the siege imposed on President Arafat has been lifted and before he enjoys full freedom to move within the West Bank and Gaza and outside, without any obstacles to his return." (Albawaba.com)
© 2003 Al Bawaba (www.albawaba.com)
