Foreign Minister Shimon Peres continues to press Prime Minister Ariel Sharon for the immediate renewal of talks with PLO leader Yasser Arafat. Peres, who was opposed to the Orient House takeover, now stresses that the need for renewed negotiations was greater than ever. Sharon remained firm in his position that negotiations would not resume until there is a total cessation of terrorism. But, Peres says that is not calling for diplomatic negotiations at this time, but rather talks to achieve the very ceasefire which Sharon is waiting for. Regarding this idea, Sharon told reporters: “We do not pay protection money. We have made that clear a hundred times. It is not even an issue. We do not pay for the cessation of terrorism. We will not pay them not to kill us.\"
Sharon called on Peres to honor the majority cabinet opinion not to negotiate under fire. Peres and Sharon met alone for two hours following the cabinet session, due to the sharp exchange of views between them during the meeting. After their tete-a-tete, they declared that they will continue their discussions at another time.
Later in the day, Shimon Peres spoke before members of the Labor Party Central Committee in Shefayim. Peres called for easing restrictions placed on the Arabs, pulling back IDF forces, loosening the closure of several Arab towns, and stopping \"Israeli incitement.\" Angry Labor Committee members interrupted his speech several times, with shouts of: \"You are the foreign minister of Israel, and not of the PLO!\"
Prime Minister Sharon is meeting with members of the National Religious and Central Parties tonight to negotiate their joining the coalition. Sharon initiated the meeting in an apparent attempt to broaden the coalition should Peres and some Labor ministers quit.
Sharon called on Peres to honor the majority cabinet opinion not to negotiate under fire. Peres and Sharon met alone for two hours following the cabinet session, due to the sharp exchange of views between them during the meeting. After their tete-a-tete, they declared that they will continue their discussions at another time.
Later in the day, Shimon Peres spoke before members of the Labor Party Central Committee in Shefayim. Peres called for easing restrictions placed on the Arabs, pulling back IDF forces, loosening the closure of several Arab towns, and stopping \"Israeli incitement.\" Angry Labor Committee members interrupted his speech several times, with shouts of: \"You are the foreign minister of Israel, and not of the PLO!\"
Prime Minister Sharon is meeting with members of the National Religious and Central Parties tonight to negotiate their joining the coalition. Sharon initiated the meeting in an apparent attempt to broaden the coalition should Peres and some Labor ministers quit.