Arafat says he has no immediate plans to step down from power

Palestinian Authority Chairman Yasser Arafat said Friday he had no immediate plans to step down from power, but at the same time said he
hadn't decided whether to run in January elections.

"It is not only up to me. It will be up to many people," Arafat said in an interview with The Associated Press and Bahrain television at his Ramallah compound where he has been penned up for months, guarded by Israeli tanks and soldiers.

Arafat vowed however that he wouldn't step down any time soon. "I have been elected by the people. I am not a coward. I'm not ready to betray the people who elected me," Arafat said.

He said reforms of the Palestinian Authority demanded by the United States were already underway and that he would welcome international participation and support in furthering the process.

When asked how he felt about the U.S. demand for reform, Arafat said he
understood that Bush had supported some of the reforms being made. He cited the changes in the Palestinian security forces, which have now been brought under the supervision of a new interior minister.

Arafat said he wanted the United States' support in the reforms, but refused to be more specific. He said a Palestinian delegation would meet with Israeli leaders on Saturday to discuss "many issues."

Upbeat about the renewed contact, Arafat said he believed further progress could be made if Prime Minister Ariel Sharon "will give them the mandate."