|
|
This is only a preview of the paper
Click here to register and get the full text.
Existing members click here to login
|
|
|
Israeli Prime Minister Ariel Sharon has told US envoys that Israel has not abandoned the "roadmap" peace plan. Mr Sharon said the "roadmap is the only political plan acceptable to Israel," at a meeting in Jerusalem, a statement from his office said. But he is apparently also keeping open the option of taking unilateral steps - contrary to the spirit of the plan. He has said Israel will withdraw on its own from Gaza if efforts to restart talks with the Palestinians fail. He reportedly discussed with the US envoys plans for the possible removal of most Jewish settlements in the Gaza Strip. Diplomatic sources expect the delegation - which includes the US envoy to the Middle East, William Burns, and White House officials Elliot Abrams and Stephen Hadley - will have urged Mr Sharon to stick to the roadmap. The plan requires American support and international support Silvan Shalom, Israeli foreign minister A BBC correspondent in Gaza says the Palestinian security forces have been weakened during the conflict with Israel and Washington is concerned that Mr Sharon's plan could create a power vacuum in Gaza. The US also wants the proposed route of Israel's controversial barrier in the West Bank to be reconsidered and continues to seek a freeze on settlement activity in the occupied territories. US backing Israeli Foreign Minister Silvan Shalom, who met the US delegation on Wednesday, said US support for the prime minister's plan was essential. "There is no doubt that the plan requires American support and international support, and that might lead to Palestinian support." It is the highest-level US delegation to go to Jerusalem since Secretary of State Colin Powell visited last June. The three are scheduled to meet senior Israeli defence officials and Palestinian Finance Minister Salam Fayyad before returning to Washington in the evening. Protest The prime minister's plan is also facing criticism from within Israel. Many settlers say they feel betrayed by Mr Sharon, who was seen as the champion of the settler movement. They have vowed to resist any attempt to remove them. On Wednesday, over 2,000 settlers from the Gaza Strip held a rally in Jerusalem to protest at the prime minister's plan. The protesters, joined by representatives of small, right-wing parties and Mr Sharon's own Likud party, called on the prime minister to resign. The BBC's David Bamford says the plan is also opposed by those Israelis who advocate the withdrawal of Jewish settlers from the West Bank and Gaza. They fear Mr Sharon is preparing to say the Palestinians have not implemented commitments made under the roadmap agreement and will impose what would be a very limited Israeli withdrawal.
Approximate Word count = 1756
Approximate Pages = 7
(250 words per page double spaced)
|
|
|
|
|
|