XXXXX DRUDGE REPORT XXXXX SUN DEC 31, 2000 11:01 ET XXXXX
MAG: ARAFAT SAYS CLINTON 'THREATENED' HIM
Clinton tells him that coming generations of Palestinians will 'curse you'.
When Yasser Arafat refused to negotiate with Israel last week on points laid out by the United States, President Bill Clinton called the Palestinian leader.
"If you don't take this golden opportunity," the President told Arafat, "you will have no mention in history and coming generations of Palestinians will curse you."
TIME magazine is planning to report that Arafat hung up the receiver and turned to an aide and said, "He's threatening me."
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Other Arab leaders Clinton phoned voiced support for his proposal. But senior Arafat advisers tell TIME that many of these same leaders have been privately urging Arafat not to negotiate with Barak on the U.S. peace plan, fearing street protests in their countries.
While Ehud Barak managed to get the Israeli Cabinet to accept Clinton's proposal in principal, he says that Israel could not go along with all of Clinton's ideas.
"I will not sign an agreement that transfers sovereignty on the [Temple] Mount to the Palestinians," the Prime Minister said. Arafat, in the meantime, is suspicious that Israel will actually deliver on any agreement.
If Ariel Sharon were to win the February 6th election he would be sure to block the implementation of a Barak agreement.
"Israel would be free to back out of the deal," says a Palestinian official, "where as Arafat would be stuck."
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