Even Turks are not fooled by Israel's desperate ploy to pit Hamas against Arafat....
Saturday, 20 October, 2001, 11:44 GMT 12:44 UK
Turkish PM says Sharon targets Arafat
Turkish Prime Minister Bulent Ecevit has said the Israeli Prime Minister, Ariel Sharon, told him Israel wanted to be "rid of" the leader of the Palestinian Authority, Yasser Arafat.
Mr Ecevit told a news conference in Ankara on Friday, "During my telephone conversation the other day with Prime Minister Sharon, it became very clear that Israel was inclined towards war."
"In fact, Mr Sharon openly expressed their desire to be rid of Mr Arafat," he added.
Mr Ecevit's remarks brought a quick denial from Mr Sharon's spokesman, Raanan Gissin.
Mr Ecevit also said Mr Arafat, who he described as "an irreplaceable leader," was under threat from Palestinian extremists.
"If one way or the other the Arafat factor were to be removed, I fear the problem would be further exacerbated."
'Playing with fire'
Mr Ecevit's statement provoked a swift reaction from the Palestinians.
"The Israeli government is playing with fire," Nabil Abu Rudeina, one of Mr Arafat's senior political advisers, told the AFP news agency.
"Ecevit revealed a very dangerous and premeditated Israeli plot," Mr Rudeina said.
"We strongly warn against any attempt to pursue these Israeli plots, which will only lead to more violence and tension as well as lack of stability."
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