U.S. President George Bush phoned Prime Minister Ariel Sharon this weekend to personally insist that Israel withdraw its forces from the PA areas. Sharon told Bush that Israel is making every effort to speed up its anti-terrorist Operation Protective Wall. The Prime Minister\'s Office noted that the two leaders emphasized the strong friendship of their nations. The arrival of U.S. Secretary of State Colin Powell in the region at the end of the week is expected to be the focus of American pressure for Israeli \"gestures.\"