The head of Israel's internal security service warned Sunday on Israeli public radio against "a terrorist Palestinian state by Israel's side."
"We must not allow the creation of a terrorist Palestinian state next to us," said Shin Beth director Avi Dichter.
"A Palestinian state will have to exist, but it is up to us to make sure it does not nestle terrorists," he added.
According to the Israeli daily Yediot Aharonot, Dichter issued a similar warning during a meeting of Israel's peace cabinet about proposals by US President Bill Clinton, which the government has accepted as a basis for negotiations.
The daily added that Intelligence Major-General Amos Malka also took part in the meeting and warned that if an agreement was not reached with the Palestinians, Israel had to be prepared for a new wave of violence, if not for a regional conflict.
The newspaper also said Dichter had sent the government a written report which reportedly says some points of the Clinton peace plan "could hamper Israel's fight against terrorism in the areas due to come back under Palestinian control." -- JERUSALEM (AFP)
© 2000 Al Bawaba (www.albawaba.com)
