The trilateral security committee of American, Israeli and Palestinian officials met on Friday afternoon. Palestinians described the meeting as a productive platform to discuss violations of the cease-fire and the implementation of the workplan advanced by CIA Director George Tenet. Channel Two reported that while the Tenet document itself was not signed, PA Chairman Arafat did sign a letter to Tenet expressing his acceptance of the document as well as his reservations.

At the Friday tripartite meeting, the Palestinians requested the formulation of a timetable for further implementation of the agreement, insisting that it be tied tightly to the implementation of the Mitchell report, including the freezing of settlement construction by Israel. The Palestinians also repeated their refusal to arrest Hamas and Islamic Jihad activists, saying Israel does not arrest Jewish settlers who attack Palestinians and vandalize their property.

While acknowledging there had been a drop in violence, Ha'aretz reported, Minister Danny Naveh of the Likud asserted this morning that the Palestinian Authority had yet to implement two essential elements of the cease-fire agreement: arresting Islamic militants and confiscating illegal weapons. "They have not begun to arrest those murderers who have Jewish blood on their hands and they have not started dealing with illegal weapons," he told Israel Radio. "They have to start dealing with the terror infrastructure of Hamas and Islamic Jihad."

"Arafat has still not taken a strategic decision to abandon violence," Naveh added. "We have a deterrent capacity and the Palestinians have to understand this."

In an official statement, Prime Minister Sharon clarified various aspects of government policy on the issue:

1. Despite the fact that the Palestinians have announced that they accept the Tenet document, serious shooting incidents are still occurring on the ground and incitement is still taking place. This must stop forthwith.

2. The Palestinians' cease-fire will not be tested in declarations and words but in results on the ground, i.e. a complete halt to all acts of terrorism, violence and incitement.

3. The six-week cooling off period that was agreed upon in the Mitchell report will start only when there is complete quiet.

PA negotiator Erekat rejected the cooling-off period, even though it was part of the Tenet paper, saying that the six weeks were not mentioned in the report of the investigating committee lead by former US senator George Mitchell. Indeed, Palestinian officials said they object to all points not mentioned in the Mitchell Report.

Prime Minister Sharon directed the security establishment officials to do their utmost to assure the Tenet cease-fire initiative's chances for success. The IDF continue to remove roadblocks and tanks and open roads previously closed to Palestinian traffic. Closures remained in effect in areas where violence has continued, including Rafah and Khan Yunis.

Israeli officials also complained that Palestinians are reducing attacks emanating from Area A, under PA control, but are actually encouraging attacks in Areas B and C, under Israeli security control.

The Americans have yet to weigh in on their opinion about which side is correctly interpreting the various elements of the Tenet Plan. Both Israelis and Palestinians would appear to be attempting to influence the US evaluation about who is most to blame for violations of the fragile cease-fire.

Kofi Annan: "Seize the moment"
UN Secretary General Kofi Annon is in the region, seeking to move the warring parties from a fragile cease-fire to renewed peace talks.

Following a meeting in Ramallah with PA Chairman Arafat and other Palestinian officials, he met with Israeli PM late Saturday night.

"We have to try and consolidate the cease-fire and make sure it holds so that we can move on to the other essential and important aspects of the Mitchell report," Annan said.

"Unfortunately the situation is very difficult and nothing has changed on the ground," Arafat told the news conference with Annan.

In a statement issued after meeting Annan, Israeli Prime Minister Sharon declared that he "is ready to make painful compromises for a genuine peace" but that the Israeli government will not compromise on the security of Israelis.

Sharon also directed Annan's attention to the tense situation on Israel's northern border. He reportedly demanded that the UN take steps to counter recent Iranian activities to establish independent Katyusha units in Lebanon under full Iranian control, which Israel regards as a significant threat beyond ongoing massive Iranian aid to Hizbullah.

Sharon also reportedly ruled out a three-way meeting between Arafat, Annan and Foreign Minister Shimon Peres, or between Peres and other Palestinian officials.

IDF Radio reported a bitter verbal clash in the Sunday morning Israeli cabinet between Sharon and Peres over policies toward the Palestinians and negotiations with the PA.

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