Jerusalem — Israel's prime minister insisted Wednesday on a week of complete calm before implementing a U.S. truce plan, a position that could put him at odds with a U.S. envoy who is returning to press for a formal cease-fire after a lull in the Mideast fighting.
Palestinians say the relative quiet of the past three weeks is grounds for moving ahead with the truce proposals, which would require Israel to end blockades of their towns and eventually freeze construction in Jewish settlements.
Palestinians burn an effigy of Israeli Prime Minister Ariel Sharon during a rally to mark the 37th anniversary of the founding of the Fatah movement at Khan Yunis University, on the outskirts of the southern Gaza town of Khan Yunis. On the eve of a new U.S. mediation mission, Sharon's advisers said Wednesday that the Palestinians have not yet met Israel's conditions for a formal truce a week without attacks on Israelis.
They accused Israeli Prime Minister Ariel Sharon of trying to undermine U.S. envoy Anthony Zinni, whose four-day visit begins today.
"The impossible terms and conditions (Sharon) is setting could sabotage the Zinni mission before it has begun," said Palestinian negotiator Saeb Erekat.
Privately, U.S. officials have indicated that a few days of general calm should be sufficient to implement the truce deal worked out last year by CIA chief George Tenet.
Zinni's quest for a cease-fire was unsuccessful last month, and he left the region in mid-December after a surge in violence that included several suicide bombings.
"The way to the negotiating table is seven days of absolute quiet," Sharon was quoted as saying in a statement released by his office.
Israelis say the average number of daily attacks has fallen from about 30 to 10 in recent weeks. The army, which compiles the list, cited seven incidents from Tuesday afternoon to Wednesday afternoon.
In four cases, gunfire was directed at Israeli troops. In two instances, bombs were found, and in one case, stones were thrown at a car belonging to an Israeli civilian. There were no injuries.
"What we have now is a reduction in the level of violence, but we still don't have a cease-fire," said Israeli spokesman Avi Pazner. Israel will start counting the seven days of calm when there is a "complete cease-fire," he said.
The Palestinians had a different take.
"The period of calm has taken place and there is no justification for the continued siege" of Palestinian areas, said Ahmed Qureia, speaker of the Palestinian parliament.
Israeli troops man roadblocks at the entrances and exits to most Palestinian towns, severely restricting the movements of Palestinians. Israel has eased the roadblocks in a few places.
An Israeli military official, speaking on condition of anonymity, said the army today will take several measures aimed at easing restrictions on Palestinians, including the lifting of blockades of some cities.
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