Palestinians quell violence ahead of Clinton visit BILL CLINTON: Welcome to Palestine

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JUNEAU EMPIRE, SUNDAY, DECEMBER 13, 1998 A 7 THE WORLD Palestinians quell violence ahead of Clinton visit By NASSER SHIYOUKHI THE ASSOCIATED PRESS BETHLEHEM, West Bank - Wisps of tear gas enveloped a ban- ner welcoming President Clinton on Saturday in the West Bank, where Palestinian protesters briefly clashed with police and Is- raeli troops.

Seven protesters were injured before Palestinian police quelled the violence in Bethlehem hours before Clinton's visit - a sign of Palestinian leader Yasser Arafat's determination to smooth the presi- dent's trip. Clinton's visit was meant to cel- ebrate the U.S.-brokered Mideast peace agreement achieved at Wye River in October.

But the prest- dent will now try to salvage it as Israelis and Palestinians accuse each other of violating the deal. Palestinians strung a banner across the entrance to Bethlehem reading "Bill Clinton: Welcome to Palestine." In a home above the banner, a family decorated their balcony for Christmas.

But the scene changed when masked youths chanting "Long Live Palestine!" began lobbing stones and firebombs at Israeli troops guarding the city entrance. The troops responded with rubber bullets. The Palestinians are angry be- cause they say Israel has not met a commitment to release hundreds of Palestinians jailed for anti-Isra- el activities.

They say most of those released so far have been common criminals. The release of more anti-Israel prisoners "would be a real indica- tion Israel is implementing" the peace agreement, Arafat said in Gaza after meeting with Jordani- an Prime Minister Fayez Tarawmeh. The Palestinian protesters in Bethlehem said they were not op- posed to the Clinton visit.

"I'm protesting by throwing stones so that my brother will be released from prison," said 18- year-old Khaled Dakakta, sling- shot in hand.

This is not timed for Clinton." The highlight of the visit will be BILL CLINTON: Welcome to Palestine JACQUELINE LARMA / THE ASSOCIATED PRESS Stone's throw from trouble: A Palestinian youth uses a sling- shot to fire a rock at Israeli troups in the West Bank town of Beth- lehem Saturday.

RUTH FREMSON / THE ASSOCIATED PRESS Welcome: An Israeli soldier, watching for stone-throwing Palestinian youths, stands near a sign wel- coming President Clinton to Palestine. Clinton begins mission to Middle East Clinton's attendance at a meeting of the Palestine National Council on Monday evening.

The council is to remove clauses from the Pales- tinian charter that call for Israel's destruction. He is also to light a Palestinian Christmas tree in Bethlehem's Manger Square on Monday. 66 I'm protesting by throwing stones so that my brother will be released from prison.

This is not timed for Clinton Israeli Prime Minister Benja. min Netanyahu has said he will not go ahead with a planned with Khaled Dakakta 5 5- drawal from further West Bank territory unless the clauses are re- moved by vote.

But Arafat said ity behind him, Arafat may be that a formal vote is not neces- backing off a vote because he sary. could lack a two-thirds quorum at Älthough he likely has a major. the 600 member council's meeting.

THE ASSOCIATED PRESS speech emphasizing America's revoke the anti-Israeli provisions TEL AVIV, Israel - Under an strong ties to Israel and an endur- of the Palestinian charter. impeachment cloud, President ing commitment to its security.

On Tuesday, Clinton is sched- Clinton flew here Saturday on a National Security Adviser Sandy uled to visit Manger Square in tough diplomatic mission aimed Berger said Clinton would argue Bethlehem, the Palestinian-con- at rescuing the Wye River peace that the Wye accord promotes trolled West Bank town where accords from unraveling amid peace and security for Israel. tradition says Jesus was born. violence, political turmoil and On Monday, the president will The first family will tour the mistrust. fly to the Palestinian-run Gaza Church of the Nativity and the pres Arriving around midnight at Strip.

Welcomed by Arafat with ident will light a Christmas trec. Ben Gurion International Airport, the trappings of a state visit, His last stop will be at Masa- Clinton was greeted by Prime Clinton's stop is seen as a boost da, a hillton fortress that is a Minister Benjamin Netanyahu for dreams of Palestinian state- powerful symbol of Jewish re- and President Ezer Weizman. hood.

The president will address solve. Under siege by an army of The president will spend today the Palestinian National Council 15,000 Romans, a small group of in Jerusalem, meeting with and other organizations after Jews chose mass suicide rather Netanyahu and delivering, a their affirmation of a decision to than surrender.

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"Palestinians quell violence ahead of Clinton visit BILL CLINTON: Welcome to Palestine," Juneau Empire, 13 December 1998. Covering Palestine archive, CP-1998-014. https://coveringpalestine.org/archive/cp-1998-014