Sharon: 'We may kill Arafat'

[G_j]

http://www.guardian.co.uk/print/0,3858,4909228-103552,00.html

Sharon: 'We may kill Arafat'

New threat from Israeli leader raises tension in Middle East

Conal Urquhart in Jerusalem

Saturday April 24, 2004
The Guardian

Ariel Sharon issued an ominous warning last night that Yasser Arafat could be the next Palestinian leader to be in Israel's line of fire, when he reneged on a promise not to harm his old adversary.

In dramatic remarks certain to aggravate regional hysteria over Israel's targeted killings of Palestinian militant leaders, the Israeli prime minister said he had told President George Bush that he was no longer prepared to exempt Mr Arafat from physical harm.

"I told the president the following. In our first meeting about three years ago, I accepted your request not to harm Arafat physically. I told him I understand the problems surrounding the situation, but I am released from that pledge."

Mr Sharon declined to elaborate and would not say how Mr Bush had responded. Last night the White House insisted that it was still opposed to Israel killing Mr Arafat.

"We have made it entirely clear to the Israeli government that we would oppose any such action, and have done so again in the wake of these remarks," a senior Bush administration official said. "We consider a pledge a pledge."

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