Prime Minister Sharon denied that he had \"tricked\" Peres, as Peres staffers had accused, and said that the army\'s offensives in the PA areas were merely the implementation of the security cabinet\'s Wednesday night decisions against terrorism.
Defense Minister Binyamin Ben-Eliezer also said privately that he does not understand Peres, and, \"The government does not have to approve every single tank or personnel carrier that enters Area A.\" Even Minister Dalia Itzik, who generally comes to Peres\' defense, said that Sharon convinced her that there was no deviation from the government decisions. \"Ministers who tell journalists that there was such a deviation are not worthy of being members of that forum,\" she said.
Peres left this morning for the U.S. where he will meet with U.S. Secretary of State Colin Powell and other officials. Sharon staffers said they hoped his message would not conflict with the government line.
Defense Minister Binyamin Ben-Eliezer also said privately that he does not understand Peres, and, \"The government does not have to approve every single tank or personnel carrier that enters Area A.\" Even Minister Dalia Itzik, who generally comes to Peres\' defense, said that Sharon convinced her that there was no deviation from the government decisions. \"Ministers who tell journalists that there was such a deviation are not worthy of being members of that forum,\" she said.
Peres left this morning for the U.S. where he will meet with U.S. Secretary of State Colin Powell and other officials. Sharon staffers said they hoped his message would not conflict with the government line.