Sharon says Gaza pull-out can 'energise' peace process
Israeli Prime Minister Ariel Sharon said today that Israel’s pull-out from the Gaza Strip, if carried out orderly and calmly, could energise the peace process and revive the long-stalled “road map” peace plan.
Sharon spoke before meeting with US Secretary of State Condoleezza Rice, who was in the region on a two-day visit intended to pressure the Israelis and the Palestinians to put aside their disagreements and co-operate on the withdrawal, which is to begin in less than two months.
Israel has called on the Palestinians to ensure that militants do not use the disengagement as an opportunity to wage attacks on soldiers and police as they try to evacuate resistant settlers from Gaza.
“I believe that a smooth and successful implementation of the plan in co-ordination with the Palestinians, will help energise the political process under the road map,” Sharon said.
“All this is dependent on the Palestinians stopping the terror, violence and incitement, dismantling and disarming terror groups, and implementing the needed reforms.”
The road map, which calls for a Palestinian state by the end of 2005, stalled soon after its adoption in 2003 with both Israel and the Palestinians failing to meet their initial obligations.
The Palestinians have sought to incorporate the Gaza pull-out in the road map. Israel, which initially envisioned the pullout as a unilateral gesture, has resisted committing to any efforts until after it has left Gaza.
Sharon said the US has an important role to play in ensuring the pullout, scheduled for mid-August, goes smoothly.
