March 14, 2002	Thursday	Zilhaj 29, 1422

PARIS, March 13: In an interview with French daily ‘Le Figaro’, Palestinian leader Yasser Arafat said that he plans to go to Beirut to attend the Arab League summit this month.

Arafat condemned Prime Minister Ariel Sharon for “employing stupid tactics” especially with regard to his “sending of around 100 tanks to Ramallah this week.’’

Arafat further said: “Sharon has a short memory, for back in 1982 he also attempted to rid Beirut of the Palestinians, and he failed. Then, the massacres at Sabra and Shatila forced him to resign as defence minister.

“I know Sharon too well for him to be able to fool me. I know him going back a long time, when I was in the Egyptian army. But, he does manage to fool the international media. For example, the Israelis announced that I’m authorized to move around again, and the next day they launch an attack.’’