"The US and Egypt take Arafat's freedom for granted in case we reach any mutual cease-fire agreement with Israel, and guarantee that Israel will end its military aggressions against Palestinians," Hanna Amira told reporters.

   He added that Arafat's freedom of movement was linked to the resumption of negotiations with Israel.

   Asked about the Palestinian leadership's position regarding Israeli Premier Ariel Sharon's modified-plan about the evacuation of the Gaza Strip, Amira said "the modified plan is worse than the original plan and aims at implementing minimal steps in the stripand enhance occupation in the West Bank."

   "We are against any unilateral solutions and we think that the Israeli evacuation from the strip must include military forces and Jewish settlers, in addition to carrying out the same evacuation from the West Bank," he asserted.  Enditem