(Ha'aretz) Aluf Benn - Prime Minister Ariel Sharon told Education Minister Limor Livnat and Transportation Minister Avigdor Lieberman Thursday that the unilateral disengagement plan is not yet finalized and that he has not yet decided on the scope of evacuation of the settlements in Gaza and the West Bank. Sharon told the ministers that he wants U.S. recognition of settlement blocs, which he says will be part of Israel in any peace agreement - including Ariel, Gush Etzion, and Ma'ale Adumim. He also seeks American agreement that Israel will not be required to conduct negotiations with the Palestinians on any other plan, and U.S. rejection of the right of return of Palestinian refugees. Senior U.S. officials have reportedly told European visitors to Washington that "there's nobody to talk to" on the Palestinian side, and that the Palestinians are to blame for the situation.
2004-03-05 00:00:00Full ArticleBACK Visit the Daily Alert Archive