Arafat quot;will declare Palestinian state on Sept 13quot;

Asked if he intended to delay the declaration of a aPalestinian state, Arafat said: quot;Never, never. There is no retreat on the fixed timetable of the declaration of the state.

quot;It will be declared at the fixed time, which is September13, God willing, regardless of those who agree or disagree.quot;

Arafat is on a world tour to drum up support for thedeclaration of a Palestinian state following the failure of 15 days of U.S.-Sponsored peace talks at Camp David.

In France at the start of his tour, Arafat appeared to leavethe door open for the declaration to be delayed, saying he would take into consideration the advice of friends.

Arafat had earlier pledged to declare a Palestinian stateunilaterally on September 13 if negotiations with Israel failed to produce an agreement by that date.

U.S. President Bill Clinton has said he opposes anyunilateral move by Arafat and warned that Washington will review its entire relationship with the Palestinians if such a step is taken.

But Arafat said he had already delayed declaring aPalestinian state once, heeding U.S. Calls.

quot;An agreement was previously reached with President Clintonon the announcement of a Palestinian state on September 13. The announcement was delayed a full year. This time it will be made on time,quot; Arafat said.

quot;We will deal with any development from outside as itcomes.quot;