Palestinians are prepared to hold general elections within six months, but to do so need the support of Israel, the United States and the European Union, chief Palestinian negotiator Saeb Erakat said Thursday.
"We stand fully ready for presidential, legislative and local elections under the leadership of the United States of America, the European Union and others," he told a press conference in Washington.
"I believe we can do it in six months," he said, but added, "Without Israel's full co-operation on elections, how can you see it, how can you do it?"
Erakat called on the United States, which is promoting a broad democratic reform program for the Middle East, "to begin with us," but stressed that such a reform program must not push Palestinian leader Yasser Arafat out of the picture.
Arafat, confined to his Ramallah West Bank headquarters by the Israeli army since December 2001, has been boycotted by the United States as well as Israel as an "obstacle" to the Middle East peace process.
"I really hope that those in Washington who speak of new Palestinian leaders will be consistent as far enabling the Palestinians to carrying out free, fair elections," said Erakat. "I hope they will not stop the natural growth of Palestinian democracy."
Erakat on Wednesday met with US Secretary of State Colin Powell and was Thursday to meet with White House National Security Council number two Steve Hadley.
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