Abbas Faces Decision on Militant Clampdown

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Last updated at: (Beijing Time) Thursday, August 21, 2003

Abbas Faces Decision on Militant Clampdown

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Palestinian Prime Minister Mahmoud Abbas ordered the arrests Wednesday of suspects directly involved in a Hamas suicide bombing that killed 20 people, but said he would not take broader action against militant groups without the backing of Yasser Arafat.

Israeli Prime Minister Ariel Sharon, meanwhile, approved a series of pinpointed military strikes, some of which could begin immediately. A column of 13 Israeli tanks was seen lining up outside the West Bank town of Ramallah, where Arafat's headquarters is located. However, Israeli security officials indicated the compound would not be targeted, as it was in previous raids.

Five Americans were among those killed in the attack on a Jerusalem bus, the U.S. Embassy announced Wednesday. The bus bombing Tuesday was the deadliest attack since President Bush unveiled his "road map" peace plan in May, and the tragedy was magnified by the fact that six children, ranging in age from 3 months to 15 years, were among the dead.

Secretary of State Colin Powell called Abbas after the Palestinian Cabinet meeting in Gaza City and told him he expected "immediate measures to stop the deterioration," said Palestinian Information Nabil Amr. It was not clear whether Powell issued an ultimatum.

Amr said Abbas ordered the detention of militants directly linked to the attack. The Palestinian Cabinet met later to debate a clampdown on militant groups.

The Cabinet did not announce a decision, and decided to leave the final say to Arafat and top PLO officials, who were to meet later Wednesday with Cabinet ministers in Ramallah, Amr said.

Source: Agencies

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