Jerusalem: Arafat's new selection as Palestine Prime Minister Ahmed Qureia on September 8 called
upon US and Israel to "change their attitude" towards the veteran Palestine leader, saying he would not
accept the post unless guaranteed of American and European support for peacemaking.
Qureia, who is currently the Speaker of the Palestine Legislative Council, said he had not yet decided
finally whether or not to accept the position, media reports said.
He said that he wants to first make sure that the United States and Israel "change their attitude" to PLO
leader Yasser Arafat. He will not enter into a position that is a known failure ahead of time, Israel
national news reported.
Popularly known as Abu Ala, Qureia said he would like to see the possibility of peace with Israel before
accepting the post as Palestinian Prime Minister. He said that he first wanted to make sure the
guarantee of American and European support for peacemaking before accepting the post, the
daily 'Ha'aretz' quoted him as saying.
Arafat's decision to appoint Qureia as the next Prime Minister comes less than 48 hours after the
resignation of Prime Minister Mahmoud Abbas, who on September 7 said that his resignation was final,
the daily said in a report.
Qureia had agreed in principle to his appointment as Prime Minister, 'Ha'aretz' quoted his close aides
telling the Israel radio.
Qureia, 65, is a moderate who helped broker the 1993 Oslo accords between Israel and the PLO.
PTI
