Sharon to Seek Coalition to Tackle Conflict on Basis of US Plan

Home>>World

Last updated at: (Beijing Time) Thursday, December 05, 2002

Sharon to Seek Coalition to Tackle Conflict on Basis of US Plan

DISCUSSION

CHINESE

SEND TO FRIEND

Israeli Prime Minister Ariel Sharon said overnight he could reach an agreement with the Labor party to form a unity government to tackle the conflict with the Palestinians on the basis of a US-proposed peace plan, the Israeli newspaper Ha'aretz reported on Thursday.

"US President George W. Bush's framework will be brought for approval in the government I intend to form after the general elections, and I will work with all efforts to make it as broad a unity government as possible," Sharon said.

Sharon made the remarks at Wednesday night's conference on national security, stressing if he is re-elected, he will form a unity government to resolve the Mideast crisis under the Bush-proposed framework.

In Bush's speech on Jun. 24, he outlined the framework for the Mideast peace exerting pressure on Palestinian leader Yasser Arafatto crack down on "terrorism" and proposing a provisional Palestinian state under a reshaped leadership.

The US plan envisages the establishment of a Palestinian state with temporary borders in 2003 and with final borders in 2005.

After the cessation of terror and the emergence of a new Palestinian leadership, Israel will work "to relieve the military pressure and create a territorial contiguity between the Palestinian population centers in Judea and Samaria," Sharon said.

"The Palestinian state will be demilitarized, except for a police force, and Israel will control its borders and airspace," he added.

He insisted the Palestinian National Authority must go through comprehensive security and governmental reforms leading to a new government that is "honest and wants peace."

He said political concessions are "not retractable," adding that "Israel will not return to control those areas it withdrew from as part of political agreements."

However, "the current reality, in which the Israeli army acts freely in the Palestinian cities, is a result of the security situation instead of a change in the political situation from two years ago," he said.

Sharon also praised the close relations between his government and the US administration, saying the understandings between them "allow us the freedom of action needed for the war on terror."

He said he believes that in the coming months, Israel will receive special economic aid from the United States.

Questions?Comments? Click here

Netanyahu Sets Conditions for Talks with Palestinians

Palestinians Warn Against New Israeli Settlement Plan in Hebron

Another Leap Forward for China's Development ( 4 Messages)

Countdown Begins for Damming Yangtze River ( 2 Messages)

Shanghai Wins World Expo 2010 Bid ( 8 Messages)

Beijing Has 1st On-campus Confucius Research Institute ( 15 Messages)

China, Russia Issue Joint Statement ( 2 Messages)