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Sharon Intends to Head Negotiations With Palestinians
Israeli Prime Minister Ariel Sharon said Wednesday afternoon that he would personally participate in negotiations with the Palestinians, reported the website of the leading Hebrew daily Yediot Aharonot.
Addressing to the upcoming World Jewish Congress Conference, the prime minister said that he intended to take part in the negotiations as the head of Israeli delegation, adding he realized the political solution is a correct way to solve the Israeli-Palestinian conflict.
Sharon said "I participated in all the Israeli wars since the state's establishment, so I can understand, probably more deeply than those politicians who can only speak of the peace, the need to the peace."
Sharon's speech is seen by analysts here as an allusive lash on the lift-wing politicians headed by Foreign Minister Shimon Peres, the Middle East Peace Process architect.
Sharon will reportedly meet Peres Wednesday night to discuss the possibility that the latter and Palestinian National Authority Chairman Yasser Arafat will hold talks at an international economic conference on Friday in Mallorca, Spain.
Palestinians Welcome Sharon's Remarks on Resuming Peace Talks The Palestinian National Authority Wednesday evening welcomed the remarks made by Israeli Prime Minister Ariel Sharon on his readiness to return to the peace talks with the Palestinians.
"The Palestinian side has been always ready for talks with the Israelis," Palestinian Minister of Planning and International Cooperation Nabil Shaath told reporters.
"When Sharon is ready for the political talks in line with the (relevant) United Nations resolutions and the signed agreements, we are ready likewise," Shaath said.
"Sharon has made no moves towards peace so far. Rather, he moved towards killing, destruction and aggressions," he added.
Earlier Wednesday, Sharon told the World Jews Conference in Jerusalem that he was ready to resume the peace talks with the Palestinians and possibly lead the Israeli delegation under the condition that the Palestinians "honour their commitments."
He pledged to offer "painful concessions in terms of territories" if Israel's interests and security of its people are guaranteed.
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