Arafat evades parliament reforms

Yasser Arafat, pressed by his parliament to commit to promised reforms in writing, has largely been evasive, disappointed MPs said today, after two meetings with the Palestinian leader.

Arafat’s only concession so far is an assurance that his prime minister, Ahmed Qureia, can appoint Cabinet ministers, said the MPs. The MPs are members of a committee set up last month to write a reform plan, following growing chaos in the West Bank and Gaza.