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Source: http://www.washingtontimes.com/upi-breaking/20041109-015602-3653r.htm
Sharon Doesn't Fear Arafat's Passing
(UPI/Washington Times)Martin Sieff - Political sources in Jerusalem and Tel Aviv say Sharon is confident that his warm, close ties with Washington will continue and that he is not anticipating any increased diplomatic pressure to give any new concessions to the Palestinians. Israeli officials say Bush officials continue to signal their appreciation that Sharon forced through his plan to evacuate Israeli settlements from the Gaza Strip next year, defying immense pressure and anger from his own ruling Likud Party to do so. The president's defining characteristic in diplomacy as well as domestic politics is fervent loyalty to those who have shown it to him and he puts Sharon now very much in that category, the Israelis believe. Sharon's determination to push through approval for the Gaza withdrawal plan took a lot of the pressure off Bush to do something concrete in the area. The Palestinians are still a very long way from creating a credible and stable post-Arafat leadership that can woo concessions out of Washington.