Issam Sartawi, on aide to Palestine Liberation Organization chief Yasir Arafat, met last Thursday with one of President Valery Giscard d’Estaing’s diplomatic representatives. It was the first known official contact between the office of the French President and a PLO representative.
Sartawi, who is also the PLO representative in Vienna, handed over a letter addressed to Giscard d’Estaing by Arafat to inform him of the latest developments in the war between Iraq and Iran and reported on Arafat’s attempts to mediate a cease fire.
Jacques Blot, Elysee Palace spokesman, said there was no discussion concerning a visit to Paris by Arafat. He said the French government is not opposed to such a visit but feels that it is “not timely right now.”
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