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Israel to Seek Political "Compensation" from U.S. for Evacuation

(Ha'aretz) Aluf Benn - Prime Minister Sharon sees the disengagement plan as a move to be carried out as part of an agreement with the American administration, which will include a series of political and security benefits for Israel. Last Thursday Sharon told visiting White House envoys he expected an exchange from the U.S. in five areas: an agreement to strengthen Israeli control of large settlement blocs in the West Bank, which will be part of Israel in any future permanent settlement; agreement and backing for the amended route of the separation fence that will be closer to the "green line"; freedom to take strong military action in case terror attacks persist from areas Israel will evacuate; political backing to disengagement moves vis-a-vis the international community; and backing to the Israeli part of the disengagement plan, which will expand the Palestinians' economic affiliation to Egypt and Jordan. Sharon did not ask the U.S. to help finance the evacuation. Jerusalem is interested in reaching an agreement with Bush, and then putting the plan's execution off until after the U.S. elections.
2004-02-23 00:00:00
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