(Israeli Cabinet Secretariat/IMRA) At the weekly Cabinet meeting Sunday, Prime Minister Sharon said that Israel is ready to transfer security responsibility to the Palestinians in any designated area. In all places where the Palestinians assume security responsibility, they will be responsible for stopping violence and carrying out comprehensive counter-terrorist operations in order to prevent attacks. In the event that the Palestinians do not carry out their responsibilities satisfactorily, Israel will be forced to operate in those areas. Prime Minister Sharon emphasized that Israel would not agree to any settlement that does not include dismantling the infrastructure of, and disarming, the terror organizations. A ceasefire can only be part of the overall process and it will be unacceptable if it comes instead of a real war against terror. The process must include stopping of all incitement, which is in no way connected to responsibility over security and can take place without delay. Defense Minister Shaul Mofaz noted that although more than two weeks have passed since the Aqaba summit, efforts to perpetrate terror attacks against Israel continue without respite.
2003-06-23 00:00:00Full ArticleBACK Visit the Daily Alert Archive