The expanded security mini-cabinet met today for a special meeting to discuss Prime Minister Sharon\'s trip to Washington. Sharon will depart tomorrow night for what will be his fifth visit to the U.S. in the 14 months he has been in office. Joining him, in addition to Education Minister Limor Livnat and Interior Minister Eli Yeshai, will be native English speaker Col. Miri Eisen of the Intelligence Corps and Police Chief Shlomo Aharonishki.
Labor party ministers are critical of Sharon for not divulging details of the new peace plan he plans to discuss with U.S. President George Bush. Echoing Defense Minister Binyamin Ben-Eliezer (Labor), Deputy Defense Minister Dalia Rabin-Pilosof said last night that she hopes diplomatic negotiations with the Palestinian Authority will resume as quickly as possible.
Speculation is rife about the contents of the upcoming Sharon-Bush talks. Various reports claim that the discussions will focus on a regional conference and the establishment of a Palestinian state according to the Clinton-Barak outline. Saudi Crown Prince Abdullah, who recently met with Bush in the latter\'s Texas ranch, is said to be responsible for delivering Palestinian consent to the plan, while Bush will pressure Sharon. The Israeli leader will also be under domestic political pressure, as his Likud Party Central Committee convenes on Sunday. The party will most likely approve a resolution against the formation of a Palestinian state.
Labor party ministers are critical of Sharon for not divulging details of the new peace plan he plans to discuss with U.S. President George Bush. Echoing Defense Minister Binyamin Ben-Eliezer (Labor), Deputy Defense Minister Dalia Rabin-Pilosof said last night that she hopes diplomatic negotiations with the Palestinian Authority will resume as quickly as possible.
Speculation is rife about the contents of the upcoming Sharon-Bush talks. Various reports claim that the discussions will focus on a regional conference and the establishment of a Palestinian state according to the Clinton-Barak outline. Saudi Crown Prince Abdullah, who recently met with Bush in the latter\'s Texas ranch, is said to be responsible for delivering Palestinian consent to the plan, while Bush will pressure Sharon. The Israeli leader will also be under domestic political pressure, as his Likud Party Central Committee convenes on Sunday. The party will most likely approve a resolution against the formation of a Palestinian state.