(Ha'aretz) Aluf Benn and Mazal Mualem - Top-level consultations last week with President Bush culminated in a decision to support Prime Minister Sharon's plan as much as possible, pending clarification of details with Israeli officials. The U.S. administration believes it is important that any withdrawal not be perceived as a concession to terror. Visiting U.S. envoys Steve Hadley, Elliott Abrams, and William Burns emphasized that an Israeli withdrawal should implement "Bush's vision" and the road map. Treasury Minister Netanyahu met with the envoys at Sharon's request, and told them that the Gaza Strip must not become a base for Hamas or al-Qaeda terror groups and asked the envoys about security and diplomatic guarantees. Bush, said the envoys, has devised a policy of beating terror, and not surrendering to it; this rule applies to the Gaza Strip, just as it applies to every part of the world.
2004-03-15 00:00:00Full ArticleBACK Visit the Daily Alert Archive