US accuses Syria of being on the wrong side

Arafat okays crisis cabinet, declares emergency

6 October 2003, 18:00 PM

Reuters, Jerusalem

The United States urged restraint by all parties after Israeli warplanes struck in Syria following a Palestinian suicide attack, but accused Damascus of being on the wrong side in the war against terrorism.

Amid the heightened tension in the region, Palestinian militants vowed to avenge the strike on Syria and President Yasser Arafat, himself facing Israeli threats to "remove him," declared a state of emergency in Palestinian areas.

Syria called an emergency UN Security Council meeting on Sunday over Israel's raid, saying it threatened "security and peace in the region and internationally." Israel said its deepest air strike into Syria in 30 years targeted a training camp for Palestinian militants and was in self-defence.

The United States, which has a veto on the council, said it would not support a Syrian resolution condemning Israel's raid as it made no mention of the suicide attack.

Syria wanted an immediate vote, but Washington said the resolution would have to go to capitals for study. Other diplomats said there would be no action yesterday.

"The United States believes that Syria is on the wrong side of the war on terrorism," said U.S. Ambassador John Negroponte, echoing past U.S. demands for Damascus to stop supporting what Washington says are terror groups. Syria has denied the charges.

Arafat, who declared the state of emergency in Palestinian areas on Sunday night, also approved an eight-member crisis cabinet under premier-nominee Ahmed Qurie.

Cabinet minister Saeb Erekat told Reuters on Monday the emergency government would run the Palestinian Authority until the full cabinet is presented for parliamentary approval in 30 days. He added it may hold its first session on Tuesday.

"The (emergency) cabinet will seek to assure security for all Palestinians and to maintain the rule of law," he said.

Arafat took the emergency measures in apparent response to growing pressure from the Israeli public and powerful rightists in the Israeli government to exile the former guerrilla leader, who denies fomenting the violence of militant groups.

President Bush, whose aides said Israel told Washington of the air raid on Syria only hours afterwards, phoned Prime Minister Ariel Sharon and urged both sides to observe restraint.