Arafat’s Mobility May Snag Talks
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RAMALLAH, West Bank — Palestinian prime minister-designate Mahmoud Abbas said Sunday he would not go abroad to discuss peace moves until Israel lets Palestinian leader Yasser Arafat travel freely again.
Analysts say Abbas fears that accepting a White House invitation would make him look like a U.S. lackey in Palestinian eyes.
President Bush is to unveil a peace “road map” soon, aimed at reviving negotiations after 2 1/2 years of bloodshed. Abbas’ stand may delay such talks.
Israel has said that Arafat is free to leave his Ramallah base and go abroad but it will not promise to let him return.
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