World News 19-09-2001 US Forces Middle East Ceasefire who: Yasser Arafat what: Calls ceasefire and offers support to USA where: PALESTINE when: Yesterday snippet: "From the moment the first airliner hit the World Trade Centre last Tuesday morning both sides in the Middle East conflict viewed the event through the prism of their own tactical advantage," begins Julian Borger in this morning`s Guardian. "From that point of view," he continues, "the week began badly for Yasser Arafat, but it was ultimately Ariel Sharon who overplayed his hand and was forced to make the greater concessions, clearing the way for yesterday`s ceasefire and an imminent return to negotiations." "Last night", reports the Independent, "after an announcement from the Palestinian leader, Yasser Arafat, that he would instruct his security forces to `act intensively in securing a ceasefire on all fronts, and in every town and village` Israeli tanks pulled out of the Palestinian-ruled city of Jenin, which they had repeatedly occupied." The Times suggests that "the fragile deal has at a stroke boosted Mr Bush`s hopes of bringing moderate Arab states into his coalition to root out terrorist networks." President Bush, seeking to form a worldwide coalition against terrorism, described the developments as "very positive", reports BBC Online, despite the fact that extremist groups on either side have rejected the ceasefire. In what is being seen as a game of Arab-Israeli oneupmanship, Yasser Arafat yesterday sent the White House "a declaration he was ready to join the anti-terrorist coalition, implying he would hand over intelligence on Bin Laden`s affiliates in the Palestinian territories," continues the Guardian report. This declaration "has the potential to make the Palestinians as useful to Washington in its anti-terrorist campaign as the Israelis, and it made it all but impossible for Mr Sharon to prevent a return to negotiations." [... more]

What The Papers Say is delivered to thousands of readers every morning by web, WAP and email. Sign up today!