Israeli Prime Minister Ariel Sharon said on Monday that there were no “clear indications” that Palestinian President Yasser Arafat had issued a ceasefire order to forces under his control.
"I don't yet have any clear announcement, and apart from that, what will be important will be the result of such a declaration, if the Palestinian leader issues one,” the hawkish leader was quoted by Haaretz newspaper as telling Israel Radio.
"There were, in fact, a few quieter hours during the day (Sunday), but towards the evening the fire increased," Sharon said.
"There were mortar fire and explosives. The entire front is not quiet."
Sharon on Sunday laid down a truce call from Arafat as a condition for ending Israeli incursions into autonomous Palestinian areas.
"If Arafat declares a ceasefire, I will order a halt to all military operations," he told parliament Sunday.
"If there are 48 hours of absolute calm, (Foreign Minister) Shimon Peres will meet Arafat to further discuss a ceasefire," said Sharon, who on Friday had called off an immediate meeting between the two men.
Sharon said the aim of the talks would be to "reach the seven-day period of calm, which is a prerequisite for the implementation of the Mitchell plan and the easing of sanctions on the Palestinian population."
The Mitchell plan, drafted by a committee under former US senator George Mitchell, recommends a six-week cooling-off period with confidence-building measures, a freeze on developing Jewish settlements and finally a return to political negotiations.
Arafat, speaking in Gaza on Sunday, said he was already "committed" to a ceasefire with Israel and was "ready to meet Mr. Peres any place, any time."
Sharon was quoted as telling the radio that it was important that Arafat announce a ceasefire "in his own words and from his own lips."
“Quiet would pave the way for often-postponed truce talks between Arafat and Foreign Minister Shimon Peres,” Sharon said – Albawaba.com
© 2001 Al Bawaba (www.albawaba.com)
