An article on the Palestinian Authority (PA) web site criticized U.S. Secretary of State Condoleezza Rice, who "noticed the colonizer Ariel [Sharon's] welcome in [the city of] Ariel colony as if he wants to say that withdrawal from Gaza means expansion colonies in the West Bank."
Rice concluded talks with Defense Minister Shaul Mofaz Saturday night after meeting with PA chairman Abu Mazen (Mahmoud Abbas) earlier in the day. Talks with the Prime Minister on Friday concentrated on the planned expulsion of Jewish residents from Gaza and withdrawal of IDF personnel.
Rice asked Sharon to give Abu Mazen more time to fight terror, and the Prime Minister replied, "We are giving him a chance. In the last 10 days, six Israelis have been killed by Palestinians. And how many Palestinians were killed or arrested afterwards, even when Hamas attacked the police?"
Sharon told Rice that Israel opposes allowing the PA to reopen the Gaza airport, but agrees to permit the construction of a deep seaport. Sharon also is against allowing the European Union to check customs and security at the Rafiah crossing to Sinai.
Rice objected to Sharon's statement that Israel would keep troops along the international border for several months. Mofaz told Rice that Israel and Egypt would sign an agreement next week on allowing Egypt to deploy troops along the border.
Rice concluded talks with Defense Minister Shaul Mofaz Saturday night after meeting with PA chairman Abu Mazen (Mahmoud Abbas) earlier in the day. Talks with the Prime Minister on Friday concentrated on the planned expulsion of Jewish residents from Gaza and withdrawal of IDF personnel.
Rice asked Sharon to give Abu Mazen more time to fight terror, and the Prime Minister replied, "We are giving him a chance. In the last 10 days, six Israelis have been killed by Palestinians. And how many Palestinians were killed or arrested afterwards, even when Hamas attacked the police?"
Sharon told Rice that Israel opposes allowing the PA to reopen the Gaza airport, but agrees to permit the construction of a deep seaport. Sharon also is against allowing the European Union to check customs and security at the Rafiah crossing to Sinai.
Rice objected to Sharon's statement that Israel would keep troops along the international border for several months. Mofaz told Rice that Israel and Egypt would sign an agreement next week on allowing Egypt to deploy troops along the border.