Bank Offer For Former

Bank Offer For Former
Arafat Sweetens Offer to Former West Bank Security ChiefPalestinian leader Yasser Arafat
sweetened offer to the former West Bank security chief after meeting some officers late Saturday at his Ramallah compound. Arafat promised that Jibril Rajoub will be appointed to more important positions and will be to his (Arafat's) side in the security and political kitchen, said security officers loyal to theformer preventive security chief in the West Bank. Arafat previously appointed Rajoub governor of the West Bank city of Jenin. But Rajoub refused to accept the position. Hundreds of Rajoub's supporters demonstrated in Ramallah Saturday to protest his replacement by Zuhair Al Manasra, the former governor of Jenin. Arafat later met 10 of the protesting officers and told them that the arrangements are "temporary." During the meeting that lasted for about two hours, the officerstold Arafat that they are not satisfied with sacking Rajoub and replacing him by Al Manasra. "We don't want someone who is not a member of the preventive security to be our chief. We want either someone from the preventive security to replace Rajoub, or to bring Rajoub back," said Issa Abu Azzam, one of the officers meeting with Arafat. Arafat said he understands their situation, promising that the coming days will be much better for them, according to Sabri Tmeizi, one of Rajoub's aides. Tmeizi also said the officers reassured Arafat of their continued loyalty. "President Arafat is our father, our leader and our symbol," Tmeizin said. Arafat sacked Rajoub and Gaza Strip police chief Ghazi Jabali Thursday in a major security shakeup under a 100-day reform plan. Both the United States and Israel coerced the Palestinian National Authority, saying there would be no resumption of talks before the reforms bring a halt to Palestinian attacks. The two countries are currently demanding a new leadership otherthan Arafat to fulfill Palestinian aspirations for an independent state. Al Manasra told reporters Saturday that he would do his best as the new security chief to prevent the Palestinian youths from carrying out suicide bombing attacks into Israel

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