Arab leaders' committment questioned

NEW YORK - In a closed session in New York Monday, Prime Minister Ariel Sharon questioned the commitment of Arabs leaders to signed agreements with Israel. “Without hurting the Arab world, it must be established that their agreements, declarations, and speeches are not worth the paper they were printed on,” he said. “It’s safer to sign agreements with President Bush than with the Arab world.” Regarding another sensitive pullout-related matter, Sharon said that as opposed to the position articulated by the defense establishment, he believes Israel should relinquish its control over the Philadelphi route on the Gaza-Egypt border. During his meeting with Israel Bonds leaders, the prime minister explained his plan aims to absolve Israel of any responsibility over the Gaza Strip in the eyes of the international community. Contacts with Egypt over the question will continue in a bid to curb Palestinian weapons smuggling through Philadelphi, Sharon said, and noted the Palestinians recently smuggled anti-aircraft shoulder-held missiles into Gaza. During his speech at the AIPAC conference in Washington Tuesday, Sharon is expected to call on the Palestinian Authority to coordinate the upcoming pullout. However, the prime minister is also expected to stress that he would go through with the disengagement even if it has to be undertaken unilaterally. ‘Settlement blocs ours forever’ Also on Monday, Sharon Israel Bonds leaders in New York large Jewish settlement blocs in the West Bank, including Maaleh Adumim, Gush Etzion, and Ariel, will remain part of Israel forever. Regarding other West Bank settlements, Sharon hinted at his willingness to negotiate a peace agreement in exchange for the concession of some territory. The issue will likely be discussed at the last phase of final-status talks with the Palestinians, the prime minister said. However, Sharon conditioned the implementation of the U.S.-brokered road map on the cessation of Palestinian violence, saying complete quiet must prevail before progress is made. The Palestinians must put an end to terror, dismantle terror groups, and curb weapons smuggling, he said. Referring to previous understandings regarding Jerusalem reached by the Labor party, Sharon emphasized his views on the matter are different. The government "will not negotiate Jerusalem,” the prime minister said, adding that "the Israeli capital is united and indivisible for eternity." -Yitzhak Benhorin also contributed to the story

Arab leaders' committment questioned

During meeting in New York, Ariel Sharon questions commitment of Arab leaders to signed agreements; prime minister expected to call on Palestinians to coordinate upcoming Gaza pullout during AIPAC conference speech Tuesday