Washington — President Bush assailed Yasser Arafat's Palestinian Authority on Friday for "enhancing terror" by trying to smuggle weapons from Iran. Tough U.S. sanctions, including suspension of diplomatic contact, were put under White House review.
There was no immediate presidential decision to act against Arafat, but the threat is aimed at convincing the Palestinian leader he must do more to curb terror.
A senior official told The Associated Press they could be imposed at any point, depending on how Arafat responds to what Secretary of State Colin Powell called "a clear, stern message" that Arafat must accept responsibility for the smuggling operation.
"This kind of activity is constantly undercutting our efforts," Powell said on PBS' "NewsHour." "This is in some ways a moment of truth for Chairman Arafat."
Senior administration officials said even the least hawkish option, recommended by Powell, would require Arafat to take specific anti-terror actions before the United States would renew its suspended mediation role in the Middle East.
Declaring he was "very disappointed" with Arafat, Bush said, "Ordering up weapons that were intercepted on a boat headed for that part of the world is not part of fighting terror.
"That's enhancing terror."
Israeli commandos on Jan. 3 seized the Karine A in the Red Sea and rushed intelligence experts to Washington to inform the Bush administration. They said the rockets, mortar and explosives could have devastated Ben Gurion Airport outside Tel Aviv and spread terror throughout Israel.
In Ramallah, the West Bank town where Israeli soldiers have Arafat under virtual house arrest, a top adviser said severing ties would "cause an earthquake" in the Middle East.
The adviser, Nabil Abu Rdeneh, said Bush should act instead against Israeli Prime Minister Ariel Sharon "and not receive him in the White House."
Sharon is due to meet with the President Feb. 7 in Washington, his fourth visit to the White House since last March. Arafat has never been invited by Bush.
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