National News

Sharon and Abbas make concessions at Middle East peace summit with Bush

Israeli Prime Minister Ariel Sharon pledged to dismantle illegal settlements in Palestinian areas, while Palestinian Prime Minister Mahmoud Abbas renounced all terrorism against Israel. Both steps were sought by U.S. President George W. Bush as he brought the two sides together in a bid to advance Middle East peace.

"I welcome Prime Minister Sharon's pledge to begin removing the outposts immediately," Bush said at a summit June 4 in Aqaba, Jordan, where the three leaders met for talks. He praised Abbas for promising "his full efforts to end the full intifada."

Israelis set up dozens of unauthorized outposts after the intifada began, most of them in the West Bank and most created since Sharon took office a year ago.

Hard-line Israelis say the settlements reinforce their claim to biblical lands but other Israelis say the illegal outposts in the West Bank and Gaza are too costly for their country.

"We will immediately begin to remove unauthorized outposts," Sharon said.

Bush promised training and support for a "new, restructured Palestinian security service," and said he would place longtime diplomat John Wolf at the head of a U.S. mission on the ground to help the peace process.

The new Palestinian leader renounced all terrorism against Israel, calling it inconsistent with Palestinians' Islamic beliefs. This was a crucial step sought by Bush.

Abbas promised to "act vigorously" against incitement and hatred against Israel, including using Palestinian security forces.

Abbas also called for the establishment of an independent Palestinian state, while pledging to end "the militarization of the intifada."

Sharon said abandoning incitement, as Abbas pledged to do, is crucial. He also said his government understands "the importance of territorial contiguity" in the West Bank.

Shukan ST: June 13, 2003

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