(New York Times) Prime Minister Ariel Sharon Monday staunchly defended his support for the latest Middle East peace effort. "Holding 3.5 million Palestinians is a bad thing for Israel, for the Palestinians, and for the Israeli economy. We have to end this subject without risking our security," he told Likud Knesset members. "I don't know whether we'll succeed, but I'm telling you in the clearest way that I'll make every effort to reach a diplomatic arrangement because I believe that it's important for Israel," Mr. Sharon said. When one Likud lawmaker asked about a settlement freeze, Mr. Sharon replied, "There is no restriction here, and you can build for your children and grandchildren, and I hope for your great-grandchildren as well."
2003-05-27 00:00:00Full ArticleBACK Visit the Daily Alert Archive