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"GOAL: TO ACHIEVE CEASE-FIRE" IDF WORKING TOWARD POLICY OF ARRESTS IN P.A. TERRITORIES INSTEAD OF TARGETED ELIMINATIONS OF TERRORISTS; PALESTINIAN SUPPORT FOR INTIFADA DECLINES
 Prime Minister Ariel Sharon Leading up to the arrival of the American peace-team headed by General Anthony Zinni, Prime Minister Ariel Sharon made it clear that immediate agreement should not be expected, since there a long process is ahead, which must begin with an effort for a sustainable cease-fire. Sharon rejected yesterday's media reports of American pressure, adding that despite the delegations imminent arrival and his meeting soon with President George Bush, expectations of quick diplomatic achievements are foolish. The delegation headed by Zinni will include the U.S. Under-Secretary of State William Barns, and member of Clinton administration peace-team Aaron Miller, who will arrive on Monday to begin bridging efforts. The announcement of the new peace-making initiative was part of the speech of U.S. Secretary of State Colin Powell in Kentucky. Prior to the delegation's arrival, tension is visible on both the Israeli and Palestinian sides, since each side found not only spots of light in Powell's speech, but also reasons to worry. Nonetheless, sources in Washington say that the bulk of pressure will be applied to Arafat to stop the terror, and only afterward will pressure be applied to Israel to freeze settlements and begin a series of confidence building steps toward the Palestinians. Five Palestinian children were killed yesterday, while playing with either a mortar fired from an Israeli tank that did not explode, or an explosive placed beside a Palestinian position to block the passage of terrorists. The disaster caused the sharpening of tension between the sides, with the Palestinians trying to blame Israel for a targeted operation against the children. The policy in Israel has recently changed, and the IDF prefers the abduction and arrest of terrorists within P.A. controlled territories, instead of targeted assassinations. Despite the operational difficulties of implementing the arrests, IDF sources say that the new policy has many advantages, since they arouse less fervor for revenge on the Palestinian street, and the prisoners provide valuable intelligence information. A survey by the Palestinian Center for Public Opinion Polls published yesterday reveals that a decline in Palestinian support for the Intifada began over the last month. Support fell from 75% to 59%. Nevertheless, 76% of Palestinians questioned are unwilling to give up a Palestinian right of return in exchange for compensation. In the territories, it is estimated that the decline in Palestinian support for the Intifada stems from the severe economic situation and the willingness of the United States to renew its peace-making initiatives.
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