Sharon Optimistic about Peace with Palestinians

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Last updated at: (Beijing Time) Thursday, December 26, 2002

Sharon Optimistic about Peace with Palestinians

Israeli Prime Minister Ariel Sharon said Wednesday evening that peace with the Palestinians is closer than is widely believed, Israel Radio reported.

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Israeli Prime Minister Ariel Sharon said Wednesday evening that peace with the Palestinians is closer than is widely believed, Israel Radio reported.

Addressing his Likud Party members at a Jerusalem gathering, Sharon said he has prepared for "real and painful concessions" in exchange for true peace, which is closer than it appears, and that he would not allow this opportunity to slip through his fingers.

The prime minister pledged to work for peace with the Palestinians in the framework of a "national unity" government, which he is expected to invite the Labor Party and other center-left parties to join.

The Labor led by Amram Mitzna claims that the party would join the government only on the basis of their peace proposals, which isslammed by Sharon as "surrender to terrorism."

The Labor has been mulling a unilateral withdrawal from around two-thirds of the West Bank, as one of its political measure to getmore support from the dovish voters in the oncoming elections.

During a meeting with Mitzna on Wednesday, Israeli President Moshe Katzav said he continues to support the idea of a national unity government, as long as there is no end to terror.

Mitzna responded that unity is very important, but not at the expense of compromising the party's political platform.

Public opinion polls show that the Sharon-led Likud has obviously led over other 28 parties, including its major competitor-- the Labor Party, in a contest for the oncoming general electionsscheduled on Jan. 28.

Under Israel's Basic Law, Sharon would become the prime ministerand form the 30th government after his Likud win the general elections.

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