U.S. Secretary of State Colin Powell and Prime Minister Sharon met this morning in the latter\'s home in Jerusalem, and conducted a slightly-delayed joint press conference afterwards. In his short introductory remarks, Prime Minister Sharon emphasized the long-term and permanent friendship between Israel and the United States, and praised President Bush as a true friend of Israel and leader of the war against international terrorism. He noted that Israel is \"the only democracy in the world where every nursery, kindergarten and school are protected by guards, because of the danger of Palestinian terrorists.\"
Only two questions from the press were allowed. Israel Radio correspondent Yoni Ben-Menachem asked Powell why the US has been fighting terrorism in Afghanistan for seven months, yet demands that Israel stop fighting terrorism on its own doorstep after only seven days. Powell responded,
\"The President and I have spoken about this. We understand Israel\'s need to defend itself, we understand that Israel is under threat of terrorist attack, and we have been supportive. But at the same time we believe, as a friend of Israel, we have to take note of the long-term strategic consequences of the incursions that are underway and its effect on other nations in the region and the international climate… I have explained our position to [Prime Minister Sharon] and he has explained to me what he feels has to be done. And I hope we can find a way to come to an agreement on this point of the duration of the operations, and get back to a track that will lead to a political settlement… We do understand what terrorism is, and as we have responded to terrorism, we know that Israel has the right to respond to terrorism. The question is, how do we get beyond just the response? ... What is the next step?\"
Secretary Powell acknowledged that Israel had not given a timetable for the pullout of its forces. Prime Minister Sharon said, \"We hope to end this war against terrorism as soon as possible.\"
It was reported before the meeting that Powell planned to raise the issue of international observers, while Sharon intended to demand the extradition of Fuad Shubaki - the PA money-man who arranged the Karin-A weapons ship - as well as the murderers of Tourism Minister Rehavam Ze\'evi. Sources report that Sharon might agree to the proposed solution of having them transferred to a third-party, such as Great Britain, as long as they are tried in Israel. Sharon has emphasized several times over the past few days that the standoff in Ramallah will not end until Shubaki and the others are turned over.
US Secretary Powell also met today with Defense Minister Binyamin Ben-Eliezer, Foreign Minister Shimon Peres, President Moshe Katzav, and the security cabinet, comprised of the government\'s coalition-party leaders. He will meet with Arafat in the latter\'s besieged Ramallah compound tomorrow; Israel has not allowed Arafat outside the city in over four months. Egyptian Foreign Minister Ahmed Maher was also granted permission to meet with Arafat today.
Only two questions from the press were allowed. Israel Radio correspondent Yoni Ben-Menachem asked Powell why the US has been fighting terrorism in Afghanistan for seven months, yet demands that Israel stop fighting terrorism on its own doorstep after only seven days. Powell responded,
\"The President and I have spoken about this. We understand Israel\'s need to defend itself, we understand that Israel is under threat of terrorist attack, and we have been supportive. But at the same time we believe, as a friend of Israel, we have to take note of the long-term strategic consequences of the incursions that are underway and its effect on other nations in the region and the international climate… I have explained our position to [Prime Minister Sharon] and he has explained to me what he feels has to be done. And I hope we can find a way to come to an agreement on this point of the duration of the operations, and get back to a track that will lead to a political settlement… We do understand what terrorism is, and as we have responded to terrorism, we know that Israel has the right to respond to terrorism. The question is, how do we get beyond just the response? ... What is the next step?\"
Secretary Powell acknowledged that Israel had not given a timetable for the pullout of its forces. Prime Minister Sharon said, \"We hope to end this war against terrorism as soon as possible.\"
It was reported before the meeting that Powell planned to raise the issue of international observers, while Sharon intended to demand the extradition of Fuad Shubaki - the PA money-man who arranged the Karin-A weapons ship - as well as the murderers of Tourism Minister Rehavam Ze\'evi. Sources report that Sharon might agree to the proposed solution of having them transferred to a third-party, such as Great Britain, as long as they are tried in Israel. Sharon has emphasized several times over the past few days that the standoff in Ramallah will not end until Shubaki and the others are turned over.
US Secretary Powell also met today with Defense Minister Binyamin Ben-Eliezer, Foreign Minister Shimon Peres, President Moshe Katzav, and the security cabinet, comprised of the government\'s coalition-party leaders. He will meet with Arafat in the latter\'s besieged Ramallah compound tomorrow; Israel has not allowed Arafat outside the city in over four months. Egyptian Foreign Minister Ahmed Maher was also granted permission to meet with Arafat today.