Qorei: I can work with Sharon

2003-10-08 11:39

Jerusalem - New Palestinian prime minister Ahmed Qorei believes he can work with his Israeli counterpart Ariel Sharon and secure a ceasefire, he said in an interview with the Maariv daily on Wednesday.

"I am willing to begin negotiations with Israel immediately, and I believe that I can work with Sharon," Qorei told the Hebrew paper.

"There is a chance of making a genuine difference and reaching achievements. I intend to work with your government and achieve a ceasefire. Give us a chance and an opportunity to prevent the deterioration from continuing."

Qorei, who is also known as Abu Ala, was sworn in by Palestinian leader Yasser Arafat Monday after emergency rule was declared in the West Bank and Gaza Strip.

Qorei heads a nine-member emergency cabinet which is expected to seek formal approval from the Palestinian Legislative Council, or parliament, on Thursday.

Israel has frozen all talks with the Palestinians since a massive suicide bus bomb on August 19 in Jerusalem, arguing that the attack was a consequence of a failure by the Palestinian Authority to crack down on hard-liners.

Take on terrorists

Sharon's government's has made clear that it will only consider Qorei as a partner in the peace process if he shows a determination to take on groups such as Hamas and Islamic Jihad.

"I am aware of the magnitude of the mission and the difficulties. It will be very difficult from every point of view," Qorei said.

"The situation is delicate and sensitive and I intend to do everything to reduce the tension. We are willing to fulfil all our commitments in the roadmap, on condition that Israel fulfils its role."

Qorei said on Tuesday that he intended making the pursuit of a mutual ceasefire with Israel the top priority of his new government.

But Israel has been wary of all talk of a truce. Sharon's spokesperson dismissed a similar appeal by Arafat as a "honeytrap".

"I hope that he (Sharon) has reached the conclusion that the time has come to change his policy towards the Palestinians. The present situation cannot continue. Force cannot be the solution for everything," Qorei told Maariv.

- AFP