WEDNESDAY, 19 SEPTEMBER, 2001

HISTORIC TRUCE AS MIDDLE EAST BACKS UP BUSH

From NEIL SYSON
in Jerusalem

PRESIDENT George Bush won a historic double victory yesterday in his war on terrorism.

Against huge odds, he secured a TRUCE between Israelis and Palestinians on the battle-scarred West Bank.

Then, as US and British forces homed in on wanted warlord Osama bin Laden, he won the BACKING of one of America's oldest foes, Iran.

The breakthroughs came exactly a week after the kamikaze airliner attacks on New York and Washington that shook the world - and provoked a global backlash against terrorism.

Both sides in the Middle East conflict pledged support for Bush's battle.

Palestinian leader Yasser Arafat said he wanted "a world where peace and justice prevail".

And astonishingly, Israeli Foreign Minister Shimon Peres called the West Bank struggle a "secondary skirmish" compared to the US horror.

Experts say the ceasefire is vital for a global coalition against terror because many Middle East states were wary about backing America while Israelis and Palestinians were at each others' throats.

Now even Iran - once America's arch-enemy - is supporting President Bush.

Arafat told his men to act with "maximum restraint" even if they come under fire. And Israel immediately started recalling troops, with more than 35 tanks being pulled back from positions in the West Bank towns of Jenin and Jericho.

The truce was holding last night, despite a few minor local clashes.

And it means almost the whole world is now lined up against Osama bin Laden, the prime suspect for last Tuesday's carnage.

Speaking on the Jewish New Year, Mr Peres said: "Today the world is facing a terrible danger. We have to get ourselves mobilised with a full heart and a serious mind because we are really facing an unbelievable challenge.

"Every human being cannot live in a world where terrorists will kill. It's a very serious situation and we cannot take it light-mindedly."

The ceasefire - which could lead to full Israeli-Palestinian peace talks starting within days - came after massive pressure from Mr Bush.

Mr Peres said: "We have the deepest respect for the American people and the American leaders, so a call by President Bush means a great deal for us - we don't need a second urge.


"We admire the togetherness of the American people, their determination, their seriousness. And whatever we can do to be of support, we shall do wholeheartedly."

But Arafat's decision to end the bloodshed left him condemned as a traitor by Islamic fundamentalist leaders yesterday.

They also said any Muslim siding with the US against other Muslims would commit a "crime" against God.

Meanwhile, Afghan leaders hinted they might hand over bin Laden if they are shown proof he masterminded the attacks on the World Trade Center and Pentagon.

Information Minister Qudrutullah Jamal said: "Anyone who is responsible for this act - Osama or not - we will not side with him."

But US diplomats in Pakistan dismissed the stance.

A source said: "They are stalling - but if they don't hand him over immediately, we will go in and get him."


A council of 60 clerics will decide his fate today.

The scene is now set for Pakistan to become the frontline for the US war machine.