Arafat admits mistakes, calls for reforms

RAMALLAH, West Bank, Aug. 18 (UPI) -- Palestinian leader Yasser Arafat Wednesday admitted mistakes were made under his stewardship and said he is ready to be held accountable.

Arafat, addressing the Palestinian Legislative Council at his war-damaged Ramallah headquarters, also said the Palestinian Authority is ready to expand full control over any territory to be evacuated by Israel.

Arafat admitted to "unacceptable mistakes" under his leadership.

"Unacceptable and wrong practices were committed in certain institutions, and many officials abused their posts, while the process of building institutions was interrupted and not enough efforts were made to boost the rule of the law," Arafat said.

Commenting on Israel's possible withdrawal from Gaza, Arafat said: "We affirm that the Palestinian Authority is fully prepared to expand Palestinian sovereignty and take full responsibility in any territory to be evacuated by Israeli occupation forces."

He called for simultaneous Israeli withdrawals from Gaza and the West Bank. Arafat then called for an all-out political and administrative reform process in which all Palestinian factions would take part.

The U.S. State Department said it did not know what to make of Arafat's comments.

"Our view is that Chairman Arafat has demonstrated by a record of broken promises that, you know, we can't work with him," department deputy spokesman Adam Ereli said.