Israel denies 'official policy' to kill Arafat

ISRAEL has not adopted a formal decision to kill Yasser Arafat, Israel's foreign minister said yesterday in an apparent attempt to soften remarks by the vice premier who said that assassination was an option.

In the West Bank, meanwhile, Palestinian Prime Minister-designate Ahmed Qurei asked Arafat's ruling Fatah movement to choose candidates for up to 16 of 24 cabinet posts a decision that appears to grant Arafat significant control over the composition of the new cabinet. One of the legislators said the Fatah list would be chosen in consultations with Arafat.

Also yesterday, Israel's ambassador to the United Nations, Dan Gillerman, accused the Security Council of "hypocrisy" for considering a Palestinian resolution that demands Israel refrain from taking any action against Arafat. The council was to meet later in the day. Gillerman complained that the council has not convened to discuss Palestinian suicide bombings and shootings.