Ahern lends support to Arafat
Taoiseach Bertie Ahern today told Palestinian leader Yasser Arafat that every effort is being made to secure a withdrawal of Israeli forces from around his compound in Ramallah.
The Israeli army has besieged Mr Arafat’s headquarters after two suicide bombings by Palestinian militants killed seven people earlier this week.
Mr Ahern telephoned Mr Arafat this afternoon and assured him that the efforts being made to secure a withdrawal included the use of Ireland’s seat on the United Nations Security Council.
A Government spokesman also said that Mr Arafat assured Mr Ahern, in a 10-minute conversation, that he was doing everything in his power to stop the suicide bombings.
The dialogue was one of a number of telephone conversations Mr Arafat had held with European and World leaders from inside his compound today, the spokesman added.
The Israeli Government is demanding the surrender of around 20 Palestinians who it blames for recent attacks on Israelis.
The Palestinians deny that the men are in the compound.
