Arafat Demands Israel Implement Peace Agreements

Palestinian leader Yasser Arafat arrived in Washington to meet with President Clinton, pushing for Israel to abide by its agreement to cede West Bank land to the Palestinians. Arafat emphasized that he is not asking for concessions that are not already outlined in the 1993 and 1995 peace agreements signed between the Palestinians and Israelis. As Arafat met with Secretary of State Madeleine Albright, Israel's Prime Minister Benjamin Netanyahu expressed his government's reluctance to withdraw troops from the West Bank, citing security concerns.

Key Takeaways:

Arafat demanded that Israel implement its commitments under the 1993 and 1995 peace agreements, calling for the cession of West Bank land to the Palestinians.
Arafat met with Secretary of State Madeleine Albright for a working dinner, during which he expressed his expectations for U.S. proposals to break the stalemate with Israel.
Netanyahu proposed a modest withdrawal of Israeli troops from the West Bank, but stressed that Israel would not compromise its security by ceding land.
Clinton characterized his meeting with Netanyahu as productive, but acknowledged that significant differences remain between the two parties.
Netanyahu emphasized the need to strike a balance between the rights of one million Palestinian residents of the West Bank and Israel's need to defend itself.
Clinton is promoting a plan that would have Israel cede smaller portions of land in phases as Palestinians agree to concrete measures against terrorism.
State Department officials signaled that Albright would ask Arafat to boost anti-terrorism measures, linking movement forward in the peace process to the issue of security.

Statistics:

1 million: number of Palestinian residents of the West Bank.
1993 and 1995: years in which the peace agreements were signed between the Palestinians and Israelis.
1967: year in which Israel occupied the West Bank, as per common historical accounts.

Sources:

Associated Press, "Arafat Demands Israel Implement Peace Agreements," by Laura Myers.
Statement by Yasser Arafat, as reported by the Associated Press.
Statement by Benjamin Netanyahu, as reported by the Associated Press.
Statement by President Clinton, as reported by the Associated Press.
Statement by Secretary of State Madeleine Albright, as reported by the Associated Press.
Statement by James Rubin, State Department spokesman, as reported by the Associated Press.
Statement by Netanyahu, as reported in his speech at the National Press Club, by the Associated Press.