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Do Fence Me In
(New York Times) William Safire - The security fence, one-fourth completed, provides what Sharon sees as not only more security for all Israelis but also as an incentive to Palestinians to make peace. Beyond the physical barrier is the chance to change the diplomatic dynamic: "Arafat's strategy is to make terror a part of political negotiation," Sharon told me after his meeting with President Bush this week. "When you don't get all you want, you use terror - you start an intifada. The security fence, when it is finished, will close off this strategy. Losing this negotiating weapon bothers them." Sharon does not see the defense-fence as a unilaterally decided border. "It's neither a political nor exactly a security border. If we decide a certain place will or will not be in our hands," he said, "the fact that there is a fence there will not affect the ultimate decision." The veteran leader added, "But it should be very clear we will not return to the '67 borders." Does Saddam's ouster mean change throughout the Middle East? Sharon is cautious: "The U.S. won't be in our neighborhood forever. Israel will stay there, and I haven't seen a democratic Arab country yet." I've never seen Sharon more optimistic: "There is a shift, a potential for even greater change. With all the criticism he gets, President Bush is a determined man. He has created an opportunity in the Middle East that nobody has done before. And that could make a great difference."