Prime Minister Ariel Sharon, in an interview published in the latest issue of Newsweek, said that the "Quartet", an unofficial body comprised of representatives of the UN, the U.S. the E.U. and Russia, that's attempting to impose resolution to the Middle East conflict, amounted to "nothing." "I don't take them seriously, and I don't think the United States takes them seriously," said Sharon.
Sharon said that there's one plan that does have some possibility of working: "Removing Arafat from a position of influence, appointing a prime minister for the [Palestinian] Authority, applying reforms in a number of areas, especially in [PA] the security apparatus. Now, Arafat's security apparatus is operating jointly with the Hamas. After the application of reforms, democratic elections will be held. We agree with the White House that a solution needs to come stages. But the first stage is the absolute cessation of terrorism."
Regarding the construction of an electronic fence along the pre-1967 cease fire line separating Judea and Samaria with the rest of Israel Sharon said: "Electronic fences do not create either a political border or a secure border. There are other ways of dealing with terrorism. At present, a small number of Israeli Arabs are involved in terror. The suicide bombers entering Israel do not carry weapons or explosives. These are supplied to the suicide bombers in Israel, by Israeli Arabs…the fence is not an ultimate answer to terror."
Sharon said that there's one plan that does have some possibility of working: "Removing Arafat from a position of influence, appointing a prime minister for the [Palestinian] Authority, applying reforms in a number of areas, especially in [PA] the security apparatus. Now, Arafat's security apparatus is operating jointly with the Hamas. After the application of reforms, democratic elections will be held. We agree with the White House that a solution needs to come stages. But the first stage is the absolute cessation of terrorism."
Regarding the construction of an electronic fence along the pre-1967 cease fire line separating Judea and Samaria with the rest of Israel Sharon said: "Electronic fences do not create either a political border or a secure border. There are other ways of dealing with terrorism. At present, a small number of Israeli Arabs are involved in terror. The suicide bombers entering Israel do not carry weapons or explosives. These are supplied to the suicide bombers in Israel, by Israeli Arabs…the fence is not an ultimate answer to terror."