While media around the world are reporting on the \"disagreements\" between Prime Minister Sharon and President Bush, both sides are attempting to downplay their significance. Before their meeting, speaking with reporters, Bush insisted that progress has been made towards stopping violence, while Sharon said that there must be absolutely no Arab terrorism or incitement.
A senior White House aide said that there are no substantive differences between the leaders. Sharon himself told Israeli reporters that he and Bush agree on most issues, but that it is better that the differences should be laid on the table. The disagreements center around the question of whether the Palestinian violence must stop totally or only \"significantly.\"
The meeting was preceded by an open disagreement in front of the cameras and reporters. Sharon later said, \"There was no tension, and the meeting was friendly. I\'m not saying we agreed on everything, though.\"
Before the meeting, Bush emphasized the progress made in stopping the violence and the need to begin \"at some stage\" implementing the Mitchell Report. Sharon, however, emphasized the continuing Palestinian violence and Israel\'s insistence on a complete end to terrorism and incitement. Bush said, \"Both sides will understand when the level of violence will be reduced to a level at which it will be possible to proceed,\" while Sharon said, \"Israel\'s position is that we can conduct negotiations only when there is a complete stop to terrorism, incitement, and violence… Just last week we had five killed, which is proportional to 250 or even 300 Americans. We cannot compromise with terrorism.\" Bush responded, \"We understand the pressures that the Prime Minister faces, we condemn violence and death, but we believe that there has been progress…\"
A senior White House aide said that there are no substantive differences between the leaders. Sharon himself told Israeli reporters that he and Bush agree on most issues, but that it is better that the differences should be laid on the table. The disagreements center around the question of whether the Palestinian violence must stop totally or only \"significantly.\"
The meeting was preceded by an open disagreement in front of the cameras and reporters. Sharon later said, \"There was no tension, and the meeting was friendly. I\'m not saying we agreed on everything, though.\"
Before the meeting, Bush emphasized the progress made in stopping the violence and the need to begin \"at some stage\" implementing the Mitchell Report. Sharon, however, emphasized the continuing Palestinian violence and Israel\'s insistence on a complete end to terrorism and incitement. Bush said, \"Both sides will understand when the level of violence will be reduced to a level at which it will be possible to proceed,\" while Sharon said, \"Israel\'s position is that we can conduct negotiations only when there is a complete stop to terrorism, incitement, and violence… Just last week we had five killed, which is proportional to 250 or even 300 Americans. We cannot compromise with terrorism.\" Bush responded, \"We understand the pressures that the Prime Minister faces, we condemn violence and death, but we believe that there has been progress…\"