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Mr. Sharon Goes to Washington

(Jerusalem Post) Herb Keinon - When Secretary Powell asks Sharon for more action on removing illegal outposts, Sharon will say, "Let's see the Palestinians start dismantling the terrorist organizations." When National Security Adviser Rice asks Sharon for more prisoner releases, Sharon will say, "Let's see the Palestinians start dismantling the terrorist organizations." And when President Bush asks Sharon to reconsider building the security fence, Sharon will say, "Let's see the Palestinians start dismantling the terrorist organizations." Sharon will tell the administration Israel appreciates that Palestinian incitement has decreased, and that the PA is taking action to prevent terrorist activity. But the PA is not going after the Hamas and Islamic Jihad infrastructure, and as a result these organizations are regrouping to fight another day. On the prisoner issue, Sharon will remind the administration that this is a unilateral step taken by Israel, independent of the road map, for the express purpose of strengthening Abbas. But Israel has no obligation under the road map to take this step. As important an issue as the prisoner release is for the Palestinians, it is also very sensitive emotionally and politically for Israelis. Diplomatic sources said Sharon will make clear that it will be easier to release more prisoners if the PA dismantles the terrorist organizations and ensures there is no terrorist infrastructure to support the prisoners even if they want to return to terrorism. The security fence, Sharon will likely argue, was not something Israel wanted but something the Palestinians forced Israel to put up. Until three years ago there was little public support for such an intrusive barrier, until Palestinian terrorists started blowing up buses every Monday and Thursday. Then there was a public outcry for the fence in order to make it more difficult for suicide bombers to kill Israelis. Sharon will likely hint that Israel will weigh where to continue constructing the fence depending on what action the PA takes against Hamas and Islamic Jihad. If these organizations are really dismantled, there will be less of a security need for the fence.
2003-07-25 00:00:00
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