Dov Weisglass, Director of the Prime Minister's Office, departed for Jordan this morning to brief its Foreign Minister on recent highest-level Israeli-PA talks. It was leaked - purposely, it is believed - that Ariel Sharon met over the past few days with Abu Ala, the head of the PA Legislative Council. Further talks of this nature will continue, it was reported, and Sharon's staffers say that the purpose is to try to reach a ceasefire in exchange for an IDF withdrawal from some of the Arab cities in Judea and Samaria.
Other say that the purpose of the talks were more political than diplomatic. It is felt that this was Sharon's way of hinting to Amram Mitzna, Shimon Peres and the rest of Labor that their policies will be implemented and that it would be worth their while to join the coalition government. Labor MK Ophir Pines said that Sharon had veered sharply away from his promised policies and had won re-election "on false premises," while Shimon Peres said that talking with the Palestinians is important, but it has to lead to actions.
President Moshe Katzav will officially entrust Ariel Sharon with the task of forming Israel's next government. Sharon has been invited to meet with Katzav at 5 PM at the President's Residence in Jerusalem. The representatives of 87 MKs recommended Sharon as the next Prime Minister. Only Labor (19), Meretz (6), and the Arab parties (8) did not recommend Sharon.
Other say that the purpose of the talks were more political than diplomatic. It is felt that this was Sharon's way of hinting to Amram Mitzna, Shimon Peres and the rest of Labor that their policies will be implemented and that it would be worth their while to join the coalition government. Labor MK Ophir Pines said that Sharon had veered sharply away from his promised policies and had won re-election "on false premises," while Shimon Peres said that talking with the Palestinians is important, but it has to lead to actions.
President Moshe Katzav will officially entrust Ariel Sharon with the task of forming Israel's next government. Sharon has been invited to meet with Katzav at 5 PM at the President's Residence in Jerusalem. The representatives of 87 MKs recommended Sharon as the next Prime Minister. Only Labor (19), Meretz (6), and the Arab parties (8) did not recommend Sharon.