Sharon Determines Israel's Policy Towards Palestinians - 2002-05-14

Ariel Sharon, the Prime Minister of Israel, stated that it is he, not the Likud party, who will determine Israel's policy towards the Palestinians. He added that as long as the Palestinian leadership does not undertake extensive internal reforms and does not cease terrorist attacks against Israel, he will not resume peace negotiations with the Palestinians. In a speech today in the Israeli parliament, Mr. Sharon described the Palestinian Authority as corrupt and tyrannical, asserting that sustainable peace between Israel and the Palestinians depends on fundamental structural reforms within the Palestinian leadership. The Israeli leader stated that whenever the conditions he sets are met, both sides can work towards a temporary peace agreement and lay the groundwork for a final treaty that would directly lead to the establishment of a Palestinian state. On Sunday, Likud party leaders defied Sharon by passing a resolution rejecting the idea of a Palestinian state. Mr. Sharon said he would not allow party deals to dictate government policy. Meanwhile, European Union foreign ministers continue to discuss the final destination of 13 Palestinian militants who have been exiled from the West Bank. These militants were sent abroad as part of an agreement that ended the Bethlehem Church crisis. A spokesperson for the European Union stated that six countries have agreed to accept these militants, who are currently in Cyprus.