Israeli bus company to sue Arafat over attacks

Israel's national bus company is to sue Yasser Arafat for at least €20m in damages caused by dozens of Palestinian attacks and suicide bombings.

More than 100 passengers have been killed and about 600 wounded since the uprising in September 2000.

The Egged Bus Cooperative says the violence has caused such fear of public buses that passenger numbers have fallen by 10%.

"At this point in time, we are asking for reparations for a large part of the damages incurred by those responsible for the attacks: the Palestinian Authority, the head of the Palestinian Authority and the Palestinian Legislative Council," said Ron Ratner, Egged's vice president of marketing.

The buses that were blown up or damaged in the attacks have already been replaced by the Israeli government.

Palestinian Communications Minister Imad Falouji says Egged has chosen the wrong defendant and blames Israeli policy in the occupied territories for the attacks.

"It is the policy of Israeli Prime Minister Ariel Sharon and his occupation of Palestinian territories that carries full legal and political responsibility for the attacks," Mr Falouji said.

"The Egged company is making a big mistake and has chosen the wrong side."

Mr Ratner says he will file the suit in an Israeli court by the end of the month.