The Palestine National Authority (PNA) Minister of State for Security Affairs Mohammad Dahlan said that the Palestinians were committed to a truce declared on June 29, but felt that Israel had not reciprocated, adding that his forces in the West Bank had prevented seven attacks against Israel in the last month.

“Until now, Israel is not serious,” said Dahlan, speaking shortly after Prime Minister Ariel Sharon of Israel met President Bush at the White House Tuesday, The New York Times reported.

Dahlan was expected to meet Wednesday with the Israeli “Defense” Minister Sahaul Mofaz.

The Palestinian security forces have only a limited capacity in the West Bank because of the continued Israeli reoccupation, he said. But they were prepared to take tougher action in the Gaza Strip.

“Anyone who wants to break the truce, we will take them to court,” Dahlan said in an interview published by the Times. The Israeli Occupation Forces (IOF) have destroyed most Palestinian security buildings, and Dahlan is still waiting to move into a new government office in Gaza.

Dahlan said the Palestinians already have done much, and cannot be expected to do more unless Israel meets its requirements stipulated in the so-called “roadmap” peace plan, which include pulling out of Palestinian cities and towns in the West Bank.

Palestinian security forces were not prepared to track down activists in Hamas and other groups that were observing the cease-fire.

“I cannot go after Hamas now while they are committed to the truce,” Dahlan said.

Dahlan added the security forces had prevented “at least seven terror acts” coming from the West Bank during the last month, and confiscated explosives in several instances.

“We take the materials, but we can´t arrest them,” he said. “I am a volunteer until now in the West Bank. I have no responsibilities there. I cannot arrest them because the Israelis are there.” (PMC © 07/30/03)