Sharon, Arafat trade charges amid US talks

Sharon again said ‘‘Arafat is the head of terrorism and no one is counting on him.”

In recent talks, the focus has been on Israeli troops pulling out of Palestinian areas in the Gaza Strip, and the Palestinian security forces moving in. However, the talks have stalled.

On another front, a Palestinian delegation was in Washington this past week for discussions with senior officials in the US administration on stabilizing the region and reforming the Palestinian security forces.

Sharon called the Palestinian proposal for an Israeli pullback ‘‘a trick designed to coincide with the talks between Palestinian officials and US leaders.’’

Arafat said he was encouraged by the Washington discussions, which included the highest-level meetings between US and Palestinian officials. ‘‘There were very positive talks and today they will return and give a full explanation,’’ Arafat said of the Palestinian team. But Arafat also said that he did not think Sharon’s government was serious about peace negotiations. ‘‘This government is looking only for more escalation for its military plans, they are not looking to achieve peace,’’ Arafat said.