Roanoke Times
Copyright (c) 1995, Landmark Communications, Inc.
DATE: MONDAY, September 13, 1993 TAG: 9309130111
SECTION: NATIONAL/INTERNATIONAL PAGE: A-1 EDITION: METRO
SOURCE: The Washington Post
DATELINE: WASHINGTON LENGTH: Medium
"We are very happy to come in this historic moment so we can make peace," said Arafat, who was greeted at Andrews Air Force Base by State Department officials, numerous Arab ambassadors, Palestinian leaders and a young Arab-American girl bearing roses.
In a moment capturing the hopes and fears surrounding Arafat's historic visit, Arafat's bodyguards whisked away the bouquet as soon as Amanda Jahshan, 8, presented it.
The PLO leader has been in the United States only once before - in 1974 when he addressed the United Nations. As recently as 1988 he was denied a visa to address the U.N. General Assembly. Then-Secretary of State George Shultz, who made the decision, called Arafat an "accessory" to terrorism.
In stark contrast to the situation five years ago, a White House official said Sunday that no restrictions have been imposed on how long Arafat may stay, and the length of his stay was undetermined Sunday night.
Today, Arafat and Israeli Prime Minister Yitzhak Rabin, bitter enemies for the past three decades, will meet for the first time as they observe the signing of an Israeli-PLO accord on Palestinian self-rule.
Arafat's plane touched down at Andrews Air Force Base at 3:45 p.m. Reports from Tunis, where the PLO has its headquarters, said he was wearing battle fatigues and his holstered pistol when he left. But he emerged from the Boeing 707 in a more formal uniform and wearing the traditional black-and-white kaffiyeh headdress.
Among the officials greeting him on behalf of President Clinton was Edward P. Djerejian, assistant secretary of state for Mideast affairs.
"Mr. Chairman, on behalf of the United States government, I welcome you to the United States on this historic occasion, which we hope will lead to peace throughout the Middle East," Djerejian said.
"I thank you, and I, too, am hopeful that this will lead to peace," Arafat replied.
Earlier, as Djerejian and dozens of dark-suited foreign dignitaries lined up to meet the plane, the assistant secretary asked nearby reporters, "Did you ever think it was going to happen?" He answered his own question: "I always hoped it would."
State Department spokesman Michael McCurry said earlier that Djerejian had practiced his opening line repeatedly but insisted that he would not hug Arafat, who is known for embracing and kissing everyone he meets.
No matter how much the Middle East scene is changing, said McCurry, "a bear hug from Yasser Arafat [to a State Department official] is still a bit much."
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