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Last updated at: (Beijing Time) Thursday, November 29, 2001

Sharon Vows to Protect Israelis Despite U.S. Mediation

Israeli Prime Minister Ariel Sharon said on Wednesday that Israeli forces will do their utmost to protect the security of Israeli citizens, despite the ongoing U. S. mediation mission, local media reported.


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Israeli Prime Minister Ariel Sharon said on Wednesday that Israeli forces will do their utmost to protect the security of Israeli citizens, despite the ongoing U. S. mediation mission, local media reported.

Sharon made the remark at a security cabinet meeting on the security situation following two Palestinian shooting attacks on Tuesday, which left three Israelis dead and dozens of others injured.

Sharon said that all efforts will be made to ensure the security of the Israelis, despite the U.S. mediation by retired U.S. general anthony Zinni and Assistant Secretary of State William Burns to help achieve a ceasefire between Israel and the Palestinians.

Sharon reiterated that there will be no compromise on his demand for seven-day complete quiet as the first step toward the implementation of the Mitchell report, a peace plan calling for a cooling-off period and confidence-building measures between the two sides before advancing to peace negotiations.

Israel TV quoted sources here as reporting that during his trip to Washington, the hardline prime minister will reveal an " interesting" peace plan on how to proceed the negotiation process with the Palestinians after a ceasefire is achieved.

Sharon will leave for the U.S. on Thursday and return home next Tuesday.

The sources also said that Israeli Foreign Minister Shimon Peres again threatened to quit the coalition government over differences concerning Israel's responses to the ongoing U.S. mission.

Sharon has appointed ex-general Mier Dagan to head an Israeli team for talks with the U.S. envoys, claiming that the talks should only focus on a ceasefire between Israel and the Palestinians.

Peres, however, argued that the U.S. mission should be a broad one, and that Palestinian leader Yasser Arafat should be given incentives to curb "violence."

The TV report said that to placate Peres, Sharon has promised Peres an unlimited access to all the talks with the Palestinians.

Zinni and Burns, who arrived in Israel on Monday, met with Israeli officials on Tuesday, and with Arafat and his aides on Wednesday.




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