Aides to Prime Minister Ariel Sharon reported today that he is pleased with the atmosphere of his meeting yesterday with US President George Bush - although they note that Bush did not promise not to invite Yasser Arafat to Washington, nor did he call clearly upon Arafat to end the violence. The two leaders assured one another that they would do everything possible to maintain and improve the special relationship between the two countries. Sharon said that his government would not ‘surprise’ the White House in dealings with the PA and Iraq, and asked that Washington please not send any surprises to Israel. He explained that he has already ordered a relaxation of punitive measures against PA areas, but explained that he would respond with a strong hand against terrorists and those responsible for planning attacks.
The two also discussed Jerusalem, regional terrorism, and other issues. Sharon said that Syria would have to make a \'gesture\' on behalf of peace and good-faith negotiations, and noted that Egypt is not fulfilling a positive role in the Oslo process. Bush stated that he is \"beginning the process\" of relocating the US Embassy in Israel from Tel Aviv to Jerusalem, as he promised he would in his election campaign.
Prime Minister Sharon was to meet with heads of the worldwide news station CNN today, to whom he was scheduled to present Israeli complaints about the manner in which they cover the Palestinian war against Israel. Sharon will meet later today in New York with UN Secretary-General Kofi Anan, with whom he will discuss both the folly of dispatching an international peacekeeping force to the area and the Israelis abducted in Lebanon.
Sharon will speak tonight at the Israel Bonds dinner in New York. Arab and Muslim groups have called a rally against him - ostensibly to call him a \"war criminal\" and the like. A counter-demonstration against Arab war crimes and in defense of Sharon\'s honor will be held at the same time by Jewish groups. The Prime Minister will return to Israel Thursday evening.
The two also discussed Jerusalem, regional terrorism, and other issues. Sharon said that Syria would have to make a \'gesture\' on behalf of peace and good-faith negotiations, and noted that Egypt is not fulfilling a positive role in the Oslo process. Bush stated that he is \"beginning the process\" of relocating the US Embassy in Israel from Tel Aviv to Jerusalem, as he promised he would in his election campaign.
Prime Minister Sharon was to meet with heads of the worldwide news station CNN today, to whom he was scheduled to present Israeli complaints about the manner in which they cover the Palestinian war against Israel. Sharon will meet later today in New York with UN Secretary-General Kofi Anan, with whom he will discuss both the folly of dispatching an international peacekeeping force to the area and the Israelis abducted in Lebanon.
Sharon will speak tonight at the Israel Bonds dinner in New York. Arab and Muslim groups have called a rally against him - ostensibly to call him a \"war criminal\" and the like. A counter-demonstration against Arab war crimes and in defense of Sharon\'s honor will be held at the same time by Jewish groups. The Prime Minister will return to Israel Thursday evening.