WASHINGTON -- Palestinian leader Yasser Arafat, who has spoken frequently about the possibility of a unilateral declaration of a Palestinian state, is getting no support for that from President Clinton.
Clinton reaffirmed to Arafat on Tuesday his long-held opposition to any such declaration and said the issue should be resolved through negotiations with Israel.Clinton is one of a number of world leaders Arafat is consulting as he considers what to do after May 4, the end of the five-year negotiating period outlined in Israeli-Palestinian peace accords.
Arafat has received conflicting advice on how to proceed with the peace process after May 4. It is widely believed that a unilateral statehood declaration could assist Israeli Prime Minister Benjamin Netanyahu and his party in national elections on May 17.
But the prospect of a statehood declaration in the May 4 time frame has popular appeal among many Palestinians. Arafat has called May 4 "a sacred date."
The administration has made clear all along it believes that a statehood declaration by the Palestinians in the face of Israeli opposition would be a major setback for the peace process.
A senior administration official who briefed reporters on the condition that he not be identified said Tuesday he knew of no incentives the United States might offer Arafat to ensure that he does not use the May 4 deadline to declare a Palestinian state.
Arafat told Clinton there can be no return to violence regardless of disagreements that may arise in the peace process, the official said. He added that Arafat outlined for Clinton the steps the Palestinian Authority has taken to prevent terrorism directed at Israelis.
Arafat also raised his concerns about Israeli settlement activities, the official said, adding that that Clinton administration shares those concerns.