(AP/Baltimore Sun) Discussing Israeli Prime Minister Sharon's disengagement plan Sunday, national security adviser Condoleezza Rice said, "This is a tremendous opportunity, and it's time for people to focus on that and what the Palestinians can do with that new opportunity rather than, frankly, remaining stuck in the past." Rice also said, "They [the Israelis] are not doing anything inconsistent with the 'road map.' This will strengthen the 'road map.'" On the Rantisi killing, Rice denied that Bush gave Sharon a go-ahead for such action during their White House meeting. "The president doesn't discuss with the prime minister Israeli operations," she said. Still, she said, the U.S. holds that Israel has a right to defend itself, but has been told repeatedly "that it's extremely important that Israel take into consideration the consequences of anything that it does."
2004-04-19 00:00:00Full ArticleBACK Visit the Daily Alert Archive