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Bush to Sharon: Make peace while U.S. goes to war

SPECIAL TO WORLD TRIBUNE.COM
Monday, October 14, 2002

JERUSALEM Ñ Israeli Prime Minister Ariel Sharon leaves today for talks in Washington at which President George Bush is expected to discuss Israel's role in a series of scenarios involving war with Iraq.

"The United States doesn't want the Palestinians to turn into an international issue over the next few months." a senior Israeli official said. "These meetings could decide Israel's behavior in the Middle East" during this critical period, he said.

Israel expects to be asked by the United States to ease the war against the Palestinians in advance of the expected military campaign against Iraq, Middle East Newsline reported.

Officials said the Bush administration will review a series of scenarios with Sharon including a Palestinian effort to increase attacks on Israel, a Hizbullah attack on northern Israel and the prospect of an Iraqi missile strike.

In each case, Sharon will be asked to detail what Israel's response will be.

Israeli officials said the United States is expected to ask for several measures meant to ease pressure on the Palestinian Authority. They include the release of hundreds of millions of dollars held by Israel to the PA, the removal of restrictions on Palestinian movement and the withdrawal of troops from up two West Bank cities.

Officials said the prime minister will be urged to maintain restraint in the face of attack by Iraq or its allies. In particular, the U.S. wants to know whether Israel would respond to an Iraqi weapons of mass destruction attack. Iraq is said to have up to 80 medium-range Al Hussein missiles that could be tipped with biological or chemical weapons.

Last week, Sharon refrained from threatening retaliation against an Iraqi attack. "If we are attacked by Iraq we will defend our citizens," Sharon said.

Last week, U.S. ambassador Daniel Kurtzer sent Sharon a letter in which the envoy asserted that Israel has not implemented pledges to ease humanitarian conditions in the West Bank and the Gaza Strip. This includes Israel's pledge to free funds for the PA.

On Sunday, the Israeli Cabinet pledged not to strike Lebanon amid what officials assert is its large-scale pumping of the Wazani River. Earlier, Lebanon rejected a U.S. request to delay the operation of a water pumping facility along the river, a major tributary to northern Israel.

"Israel will attempt to work within the diplomatic process initiated by the U.S. Ñ where its position will be represented to the U.S. officials dealing with the subject and during Prime Minister Sharon's meetings in the U.S.," the Cabinet statement said.

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