Wednesday, May 25, 2005

Sharon sets Israeli terms before Abbas visits U.S.

From Top News Article Reuters.com:
Mon May 23, 2005 02:07 PM ET
By Jeffrey Heller

NEW YORK (Reuters) - Israeli Prime Minister Ariel Sharon on Monday coupled a long-standing vow to hold on to three West Bank settlement blocs forever with a signal that other parts of the occupied area could be traded for peace.

I would say that, for instance, we will take Maale Adumim and we will take Gush Etzion and we will take Ariel ... they are going to stay in the hands of Israel forever and ever...As about other places, all that, I think will be the final phase of the permanent agreement negotiation and talks," he said, hinting about a willingness to discuss land-for-peace under a U.S.-backed "road map."

But ...Sharon said there could be no talks on a final peace deal until anti-Israeli militants were disarmed."

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