Arafat asserts authority over peace talks

A second summit between the Israeli and Palestinian premiers was in doubt today after Yasser Arafat sent a strong message that he, not Prime Minister Mahmoud Abbas, is in charge of peace talks with Israel.

The veteran Palestinian leader’s bid to counter moves to sideline him underlined the power struggle between Arafat and Abbas, whom Arafat grudgingly appointed under international pressure as efforts to move forward on a new peace plan intensified.