American mediator William Burns, Assistant Secretary of State for Near Eastern Affairs, is scheduled to arrive in Israel today. On his agenda will be the U.S. "road map to peace in the Middle East" - a plan supported by the U.S., Russia, European Union and the United Nations. The plan calls for the establishment of a Palestinian state by 2005, with a series of target dates to be met in the interim.
Burns will meet with Peres, who said this morning that the plan is only a rough draft to which Israel has two months to respond. Prime Minister Sharon said last night, "It cannot be that Israel carries out irreversible steps while the other side merely makes declarations." Sharon is particularly concerned that supervision of the plan's implementation will be entrusted to the above quartet.
Burns will meet with Peres, who said this morning that the plan is only a rough draft to which Israel has two months to respond. Prime Minister Sharon said last night, "It cannot be that Israel carries out irreversible steps while the other side merely makes declarations." Sharon is particularly concerned that supervision of the plan's implementation will be entrusted to the above quartet.