Gaza

Palestinian officials expressed little relief, however, as Israeli tanks and most reservists called up in recent days continued to sit on the border with Gaza. "Postponed doesn't mean canceled," said Saeb Erekat, a senior official in the Palestinian Authority (news - web sites). Erekat, a chief negotiator for the Palestinians for years, was looking forward to the arrival of CIA (news - web sites) Director George Tenet, who has been deeply involved in trying to …

…but has not said how he envisioned to bring about such a switch. The Palestinians have said Israel has no right to meddle in their affairs and Bush, while sharply criticizing Arafat for failing to rein in militants, also told Sharon he needs to work with the Palestinian leader. Sharon's Likud party was to hold a convention in Tel Aviv Sunday to discuss formulating an official party position opposing the creation of a Palestinian state.