Powell presses Sharon for Israeli pullback

RAMALLAH, West Bank -- Palestinian leader Yasser Arafat rebuffed Secretary of State Colin Powell's demand Sunday for a halt to violence, saying Israel first must withdraw its troops from the West Bank. \nPowell, shuttling back to Israel for a meeting in Tel Aviv, then pressed Prime Minister Ariel Sharon for a complete pullback, a U.S. official said. Sharon renewed his proposal for an international peace conference -- without Arafat, but with Lebanon, Saudi Arabia and Syria invited, an aide said. \nA senior U.S. official said the idea was discussed "as part of a way to move forward politically," but more talks were needed. \nArafat, 72, appeared in good health as he met with Powell in his rocket-scarred headquarters that is surrounded by Israeli tanks and troops. Arafat has been under pressure that is "unreal for an old man like him," said Zeid Abu Shawish, a Palestinian doctor in the compound. \nPowell was driven to the besieged compound in a motorcade of armored-plated SUVs, shielded by U.S. security personnel with submachine guns. \nThe headquarters showed the effects of Israeli bombardment. A gaping hole marred the facade, and the walls were blackened with bullet marks. \nA senior aide, Saeb Erekat, said Arafat stood by his commitments, including an end to violence. But, Erekat said after the three-hour meeting, that meant "once the Israelis complete the withdrawal we will, as Palestinians, then carry out our obligations." \nArafat complained bitterly and extensively to Powell about Israel's military thrust into Palestinian-held towns and villages and especially its actions in Jenin and a refugee camp in the town. \nPresident Bush has demanded a pullback right away, but Sharon refused to provide a timetable when he saw Powell on Friday in Jerusalem. They were meeting again Sunday night in Tel Aviv. \nPowell, in a brief statement to reporters, called his meeting with Arafat useful and constructive. \nA senior U.S. official said Powell's "clear message" to Arafat in a 45-minute presentation was "the bombings have to stop, that it was a major barrier" to progress toward a security agreement or on negotiations that Powell has said should lead to establishment of a Palestinian state. \nPowell and Arafat directed top aides to meet Monday on "a variety of ideas." He provided no details. \nArafat saw Powell to the door, and they shook hands, but Arafat did not emerge. "Arafat did not come out for security reasons," Erekat said. \nGesturing to the building next door, where Israeli soldiers peered out of half-open windows, Erekat said, "You see the Israeli snipers all around. We are not going to take that risk." \nBut the senior U.S. official, who briefed reporters on condition of anonymity, said "they did not complain about the personal situation." \nPalestinian Parliament Speaker Ahmed Quriea, who attended the meeting around a second-floor dining room table, told The Associated Press: "We told Secretary Powell that we shall not discuss any subject before Israel pulls out" from towns and villages occupied since March 29. \n"We told him that it's time to speak about a Palestinian state along the lines" that existed before Israel occupied land seized during the 1967 Mideast war, the Palestinian official said. \nHe said Arafat and Powell were expected to meet again Tuesday. \nA foreign policy adviser to Sharon said Israel has "already made substantial progress in heeding to the president's request, and we pulled out of substantial areas." \nPowell will make brief stops today in Lebanon and Syria -- which is in effective control of Lebanon -- to express his concern about the "urgent and serious" cross-border attacks on Israel from southern Lebanon, State Department spokesman Richard Boucher said. \nPowell has those countries to curb the guerrillas and asked intermediaries to appeal to Iran, which arms the group the State Department considers a terrorist organization. \nRussian Foreign Minister Igor Ivanov volunteered to intercede, as well, when he saw Powell in Spain on Wednesday. \nInitially, Powell was expected to fly home Tuesday, but preparations are under way for a longer stay in the region. \nThe president did not speak directly to Powell but was briefed on his Mideast peacemaking efforts by his national security adviser, Condoleezza Rice. White House officials reported no Bush calls to world leaders but said he was monitoring Powell's trip. \nU.S. officials want Arafat to use the "bully pulpit of his leadership as required and called upon by our president to bring clearly home to his people that violence to accomplish political end is not going to be effective," Deputy Secretary of State Richard Armitage said in Washington.