(IsraelNN.com) After almost six weeks of Israeli attempts to arrange a meeting for Prime Minister Sharon with U.S. President George Bush, it appears that Bush is finally ready to do so. Sharon wishes to obtain American endorsement for the unilateral withdrawal plan he presented on February 2, but the Bush Administration has not been forthcoming. Foreign Minister Silvan Shalom announced last night that a meeting has been set in principle for March 29, but that the Americans have set five major conditions for their acceptance of Sharon's plan. Several of them are unacceptable to top Likud ministers.

The five conditions are:
The plan must not replace the US Road Map plan; the US will not bear the costs of evacuating and resettling the nearly 8,000 residents; the expelled residents must not be relocated in Judea and Samaria; the evacuation must be not only of civilians but of all military residents; and Israel must not annex any areas of Judea and Samaria.

The Americans have also asked that the withdrawal be carried out only after the US elections almost eight months from now.

A forum of advisors convened by President Bush at the end of last week determined that the disengagement has "historic potential" - but also has dangers. They also concluded that it is important to the Bush Administration that the planned withdrawal not appear as a surrender to terrorism.

The first meeting between Prime Minister Ariel Sharon and PA leader Ahmed Qureia (Abu Ala) is scheduled for Tuesday. Their senior aides are scheduled to meet today, once again, to lay the groundwork for the meeting.