'Israel may keep settlement blocs'

CRAWFORD, Texas - President George W. Bush reaffirmed Monday that Israel would keep major West Bank settlement blocs in a final status agreement with the Palestinians, but he asked Prime Minister Ariel Sharon both publicly and privately not to expand the key West Bank settlement of Maaleh Adumim. "I told the prime minister not to undertake any activity that contravenes the road map or prejudices final status obligations," Bush told reporters after the two met at the president's Texas ranch on Monday. "I've been very clear about Israel's obligation under the road map. That's no expansion of settlements." In response Sharon said "Maale Adumim is one of the blocks of Jewish population, and our position is that this would be part of Israel." "We are very much interested that it will be contiguity between Maale Adumim and Jerusalem," he added. Israel to meet road map requirements Bush said he reiterated to Sharon the immediate demands of the internationally negotiated road map for peace between Israel and the Palestinians: that Israel remove any unauthorized outposts in the Palestinian territories and "meet its road map obligations regarding settlements in the West Bank." Sharon said in response "Regarding the unauthorized outposts, I wish to reiterate that Israel is a society governed by the rule of law." "As such, I will fulfill my commitment to you, Mr. President, to remove unauthorized outposts. As to settlements, Israel will meet all its obligations under the road map," he said. 'Abbas must act' Bush praised Sharon for "his courageous initiative to disengage from Gaza and part of the West Bank" and for his willingness to coordinate it with Palestinians. "I urge the Palestinian leadership to accept his offer,"he said. "By working together, Israelis and Palestinians can lay the groundwork for a peaceful transition." Standing at Bush's side, Sharon also said Israel would not move forward on the road map until the Palestinians take more steps to crack down on and disarm militant groups and ensure "a full cessation of terror." He said that while Palestinian leader Mahmoud Abbas has begun to act against terror organizations, recent violence against Israel shows that "terror is still continuing" and that Abbas "must take more steps." "It should be completely quiet," he said. Bush also praised the Palestinian leadership, but also made clear more must be done. "I appreciate the fact that they've taken some action on security," he said. "We want to continue to work with them on consolidating security forces." Best meeting yet Sources within Sharon's entourage said the visit "was the best meeting between the prime minister and the president." Palestinian sources said in response to the meeting Israel must heed to Bush's demands and refrain from expanding the settlements. Chief Palestinian negotiator Saeb Erekat said "I hope Sharon would act in accordance with Bush's call and halt all settlement activity, because I believe this is the key to everything." Earlier, in an interview with NBC News Monday (see video), Sharon said Israel may be on the brink of a civil war. “The tension here (in Israel), the atmosphere, it looks like we’re at the eve of a civil war," he said. "All my life I was defending life of Jews. Now for the first time I'm taking steps to protect me from Jews," he said. In response to Sharon's statements, Yesha Council members suggested he returns to the referendum option. "Sharon is tearing the nation apart and inciting against an entire public, and then runs to impress the Americans with stories of a civil war," a council member said. The Sharon - Bush summit comes exactly 100 days before the evacuation is set to begin. Arafat a murderer In his NBC interview, Sharon also referred to Palestinian leadership, current and former. “Yasser Arafat, first was a murderer, and during his rule there was no chance at all to reach peace,” he said. However, Sharon emphasized his optimism, saying “I believe at the current time, for the first time, there is a possibility to try and solve the problem.”

'Israel may keep settlement blocs'

Bush says Israel must remove illegal outposts from Palestinian territories; earlier in interview with NBC Sharon says tensions in Israel are high, but expresses optimism regarding current peace process with Palestinians