Bush says Arafat not doing enough to fight terror

LIMA, Peru -- President Bush said Saturday that Yasser Arafat "is not doing all he can do to fight off terror," but no decision has been made yet whether to send Vice President Dick Cheney back to the Middle East to hold talks with the Palestinian leader.

"There's been no question that the United States has stood strong with Israel and we've made it clear to Mr. Arafat that he is not doing all he can do to fight off terror," Bush said in a news conference in Lima, Peru, part of a four-day Latin American tour.

A meeting of Israeli and Palestinian security officials today could determine whether Cheney goes to Egypt this week for talks with Arafat. The meeting today may also help American mediator Anthony Zinni decide whether Arafat has accepted U.S. conditions for a cease-fire and will work to implement them.

"If and when Chairman Arafat performs, that's what we have said," Bush said.

U.S. officials have said that a Cheney-Arafat meeting will depend on Arafat meeting several conditions, such as renouncing terrorism as a weapon and rounding up militants.

Secretary of State Colin Powell, who is traveling with Bush, spoke with Israeli Prime Minister Ariel Sharon by telephone Saturday, according to an administration official. Powell also spoke with United Nations Secretary-General Kofi Annan and European Union foreign and security chief Javier Solana, who have both been involved in Mideast peace efforts.