Statement by British International, on the 24th April 2002 from inside the Palistinian Authorities Compound, Ramallah, conditions worsening threat of attack from the IDF increasing.

On the 23rd of April the IDF blew up a prison just two metres from the PA compound.
As we spoke part of the church of the nativity was burning.
There are currently 50 internationals inside the compound and at the time of our telephone interview, there were 50 more internationals or Israelis trying to get into the compound in an internatioanl solidarity movement action, they were being shot at with bullets and stun bombs.
Conditions are worsening inside the compound, there has been no replenishing of food or water for nine days and what little that remains is being rationed, half a plate of rice between two people daily.
There is absolutly no medicine of any kind and one man who lies riddled with nine bullets, is in a critical condition.
There are 12- 15 amputees without any access to antibiotoics or pain relief.
All in all the conditions are bleak.
There have been some private meetings between Arafat and William Burns, Powell's deputy. None of the Palistinian delegates are allowed to participate in the process.
There has also been a private meeting between Arafat and Javier Salana and once again the Palastinian delegates were prevented from attending. There is deep concern that these meetings are all words no action, as explosions outside the compound intensify, getting closer by the hour. The threat of further attack from the IDF is becoming ever more immanent as these explosions increase.
The genaral view is that until Israel pulls its tanks out of the area there can be no possibility of any kind of peace process going ahead.