|
Trending Topics
|
Israel Told to Accept Road Map "Formally"
(Ha'aretz) Aluf Benn and Nathan Guttman - The U.S. administration is demanding Israel formally accept the road map. Prime Minister Sharon's chief of staff, Dov Weisglass, met Wednesday with U.S. National Security Adviser Condoleezza Rice in an effort to find a formula that would enable Israel to accept the plan, while taking into account its comments and reservations. The Palestinians have insisted they won't start acting against terror until Israel declares its formal acceptance of the road map. Sharon and Foreign Minister Shalom have told the Americans that the road map, in its current form, could not win approval among a majority in the current Israeli government coalition. Senior officials in Washington have found the answer to Ariel Sharon's "yes, but" - and it's "not now." The Palestinians spotted a breach between Jerusalem and Washington and hurried to demand that Sharon accept the map as is. The Americans made clear to Sharon that they also believe Abbas' chances of taking control of the PA and smashing terror are very small, but Israel should not be seen as trying to obstruct him.