European allies refuse to cut ties with Arafat

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PARIS -- America's European allies yesterday rejected a call from Secretary of State Colin L. Powell to sever ties with Yasser Arafat, the beleaguered Palestinian leader, even as U.S. officials accused him of "undercutting" his new prime minister, Mahmoud Abbas.

French Foreign Minister Dominique de Villepin, who met with Mr. Powell during the annual meeting of top diplomats from the Group of Eight -- the seven most industrialized countries and Russia -- said he would visit Mr. Arafat when he goes to the Middle East early next week.

"Believe me, my message will be a strong message," Mr. de Villepin said at a press conference after the meeting in Paris, noting that it is the European Union's policy to "meet and speak to everyone" involved in the Israeli-Palestinian conflict. "We need to take steps against terrorism, against any violence -- it is the right moment to move."

A senior U.S. official later told reporters on Mr. Powell's plane that the "strong message" of the French minister would contain a push for Mr. Arafat to provide more support to Mr. Abbas, also known as Abu Mazen, and his new post.

"We have seen evidence that [Mr. Arafat] is undercutting [Mr. Abbas]," the official said. "It's time for him to realize that he has to use his influence with the Palestinian people to support Mr. Abbas."

The official noted that Mr. Abbas' press conference with Mr. Powell in the West Bank town of Jericho earlier this month was not broadcast on Palestinian television, which is controlled by Mr. Arafat.

Mr. Powell said in Paris yesterday that his European colleagues come from sovereign nations with the right to define their own policies, but he reiterated the Bush administration's frustration with Mr. Arafat.

"We don't believe that he has lived up to the expectations of the Israeli people," he said. The implication was that Mr. Arafat would lead the Palestinians to a peaceful resolution of the conflict with Israel.

"We will be investing our time and energy with Prime Minister Abbas."