Moscow, Oct 02: Palestinians are ready for a ceasefire with Israel, but only if foreign observers were in the region to monitor the process, Palestinian leader Yasser Arafat said in an interview published here today. "Even now we want to cease all hostilities with Israel. But we cannot do without foreign monitors who would watch over such a treaty's implementation," Arafat told Russia's Izvestia daily.
However, Arafat also reiterated his condemnation of Israel's "terror" and "occupation" of Palestinian territories, charging Israel with "violating the UN resolutions and the roadmap plan's conditions."
Arafat even hinted that extremist groups such as Hamas would be welcome in the Palestinian government.
"The government is open to all who are ready to act for the Palestinian people's sake and for the sake of peace. We welcome all who fight Israeli occupation and terror," Arafat said.
Arafat has been confined by the Israeli Army to his headquarters in Ramallah since December 2001.
Bureau Report