Sharon Claims U.S. Mediation Mission as Test for Palestinians

Home>>World

Last updated at: (Beijing Time) Monday, November 26, 2001

Sharon Claims U.S. Mediation Mission as Test for Palestinians

Israeli Prime Minister Ariel Sharon claimed on Sunday that an upcoming U.S. mediation mission inthe Middle East would test whether the Palestinians want to reach peace with Israel, Israel radio reported.

The U.S. mediation mission will be "a test for (Palestinian leader) Yasser Arafat and the Palestinian leadership to show whether their intentions really are to advance the diplomatic process," the radio quoted Sharon as saying at a routine cabinet meeting. The mission by U.S. retired general Anthony Zinni and Assistant Secretary of State William Burns is seen as part of U.S. new efforts to restart the peace talks between Israel and the Palestinians.

The two U.S. envoys will hold separate meetings with Sharon and Israeli Foreign Minister Shimon Peres on Monday. In addition, the envoys will also meet with Israeli and Palestinian officials, and preside over a meeting with both sides in an effort to reach a ceasefire. Sharon added that Israel places great importance on reaching a ceasefire agreement with the Palestinians, and the Israeli government will make every effort to secure such an agreement.

The situation on the ground has been escalated since five Palestinian children were killed in an explosion on Thursday and a senior member of the Palestinian Islamic Resistance Movement (Hamas) was assassinated by Israel on Friday.

Bush to Meet Israeli Prime Minister in December