Europe has told the United States support for the Palestinian leader was
essential, the European Union envoy in the Middle East said today after talks with President Mr Yasser Arafat today.
Mr Miguel Moratinos' comments is seen as another sign that the EU differs with the US in its approach to the conflict between Israelis and Palestinians.
Mr Moratinos said the EU told the Americans it thought support for President Arafat's leadership and the Palestinian Authority was a must.
“We have to reinforce the Palestinian Authority in order that the result on the ground will be much better. That is the European decision,” he told reporters in the West Bank town of Ramallah after talks with Mr Arafat.
His remarks came as the Israeli Prime Minister, Mr Ariel Sharon, headed to Washington to urge US President George W. Bush to sever ties with Mr Arafat - who Israel has confined to Ramallah with tanks and has demanded the Palestinian leader hand over militants who killed an Israeli minister.
At the meeting tomorrow, Mr Bush and Mr Sharon are due to discuss concerns over the 16 months of bloodshed during the Palestinian uprising, which erupted after peace talks stalled. Mr Bush said last week Mr Arafat must do a better job in preventing attacks on Israelis.
The meeting will be Mr Sharon's fourth White House visit in a year in office. While Mr Bush has not met Mr Arafat in that time and has expressed disappointment with him over an alleged attempt by Iran to ship weapons to the Gaza Strip. Mr Arafat has denied knowledge of the ship.
But Middle East envoy Mr William Burns said during a visit to Egypt today that Washington still considered Mr Arafat the elected Palestinian leader.
Meanwhile French Foreign Minister, Mr Hubert Vedrine, told French radio the EU is at odds with the United States over Washington's support of Mr Sharon in the Middle East conflict.
Reuters