Powell's mission snubbed by Israel

ARIEL SHARON defiantly toured a Palestinian town yesterday from which he has refused to withdraw troops, in a rebuff to international pressure to end operations in the West Bank. His response greatly complicates the peace mission of Colin Powell, the US Secretary of State, who arrives in Israel today.
The Israeli Prime Minister also described as a “tragic mistake” General Powell’s decision to meet Yassir Arafat, the Palestinian leader. But the Secretary of State insisted that his mission was not in jeopardy, saying that he had decided to meet Mr Arafat because he was the elected leader of the Palestinian people.

“I think if we are going to move forward, such a meeting is appropriate and important. He’s the leader of the Palestinian people, and I think the Palestinian people and the Arab leaders with whom I’ve met over the last several days believe that he is a partner that Israel will have to deal with at some point.”