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PM's Pullout Plan to Include 20 Settlements

(Ha'aretz) Yoel Marcus - "This vacuum, for which the Palestinians are to blame, cannot go on forever. So as part of the disengagement plan I ordered an evacuation - sorry, a relocation - of 17 settlements with their 7,500 residents, from the Gaza Strip to Israeli territory," Prime Minister Sharon told Ha'aretz Monday. "The aim is to move settlements from places where they cause us problems or places where we won't remain in a permanent arrangement. Not only settlements in Gaza, but also three problematic settlements in Samaria," he said. "We are talking of a population of 7,500 people. It's not a simple matter. We are talking of thousands of square kilometers of hothouses, factories and packing plants. There are people who are third generation there," he said. "It will be necessary to reach an agreement with the residents, to rebuild what will be demolished...it's not a quick matter, especially if it's done under fire." Sharon said various agencies are already at work on the plan, under his orders. He said the process will take one to two years. "Clearly this must be done with American agreement and support. We are not taking any steps that contravene their positions. Agreement is needed on both the evacuation and the matter of the fence. It is important that everything we do be part of the Bush vision and fits in the American concept."
2004-02-03 00:00:00
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