Jerusalem
Palestinian leader Yasser Arafat says peace with Israel remains his strategic option, but acknowledged mistakes have been made and major reforms are needed within the Palestinian Authority.
In a wide-ranging speech to Palestinian legislators in the West Bank city of Ramallah, Mr. Arafat said he will never abandon the option of peace with Israel, saying peace is in the common interest of both peoples.
The Palestinian leader says a "new formula" is needed for administering the Palestinian Authority and its security forces. Mr. Arafat says there is a need to "re-evaluate" those institutions and see where mistakes have been made. He also proposed "speedy preparations" for new elections, but did not set a date or provide details.
Mr. Arafat reiterated his call for an end to terrorist attacks against Israeli civilians, saying such operations do not serve the Palestinians' efforts toward statehood.
The Palestinian chairman says he is responsible for recent controversial deals ending Israel's siege of his headquarters in Ramallah and the Church of the Nativity in Bethlehem.
Palestinian leader Yasser Arafat says peace with Israel remains his strategic option, but acknowledged mistakes have been made and major reforms are needed within the Palestinian Authority.
In a wide-ranging speech to Palestinian legislators in the West Bank city of Ramallah, Mr. Arafat said he will never abandon the option of peace with Israel, saying peace is in the common interest of both peoples.
The Palestinian leader says a "new formula" is needed for administering the Palestinian Authority and its security forces. Mr. Arafat says there is a need to "re-evaluate" those institutions and see where mistakes have been made. He also proposed "speedy preparations" for new elections, but did not set a date or provide details.
Mr. Arafat reiterated his call for an end to terrorist attacks against Israeli civilians, saying such operations do not serve the Palestinians' efforts toward statehood.
The Palestinian chairman says he is responsible for recent controversial deals ending Israel's siege of his headquarters in Ramallah and the Church of the Nativity in Bethlehem.