Sharon vows to cooperate with Abbas
Says during AIPAC conference in Washington 'Israel would never compromise its security; disengagement to be carried out as scheduled
WASHINGTON, D.C. - Prime Minister Ariel Sharon pledged cooperation Tuesday with Palestinian Authority Chairman Mahmoud Abbas on the Gaza disengagement plan "so long as we do not risk our security," and demanded that Abbas quickly crack down on terrorists.
"There is one thing on which we will not make any compromises, not now and not in the future," Sharon told a mostly supportive Jewish audience of 5,000 at the conference of the pro-Israel group AIPAC in Washington, "and that is our security."
He said the disengagement plan would be implemented according to schedule and that he has paid a heavy political price for supporting peace with the Palestinians and the dismantlement of Israeli settlements in the West Bank and the Gaza Strip.
"We see great opportunities in the election of Chairman Abbas. We hope he will be able to lead his people and create a democratic, law-abiding society, and break down terrorist organizations,” Sharon said. "Israel doesn't intend to lose this opportunity."
He said Israel is willing to help Abbas "as much as we can, as long as we do not risk our security."
Using an English form of a popular Hebrew expression, he said, "That is the red line."
'Jerusalem Israel's eternal capital'
Sharon did not specify what he meant by cooperation with Abbas, but the two sides are gradually working out deals for border security and other issues that could pave the way for an eventual peace deal.
Sharon said Israel is already taking steps to help the economic and humanitarian conditions in the Palestinian territories, where unemployment is high.
"We are ready to do more," Sharon said, including releasing additional Palestinian security prisoners and turning over more cities to Palestinian control.
He said he appreciates Abbas' decision to condemn violence and terrorism.
"With this approach, it can be a partner in implementing the roadmap (peace plan) and to move the process forward," he said. "But his statement must be translated into real actions on the ground."
Sharon sounded a hawkish note almost from the start of his 25-minute address. He called Jerusalem "the eternal, united and undivided capital of the state of Israel and the Jewish people forever and ever."
Sharon was interrupted by sustained applause before he got the entire statement out.
Palestinians also claim portions of Jerusalem as holy, and the question of whether or how to divide the ancient city is considered an obstacle to a final peace deal that would create two separate states.
Noticeably relaxed
Like U.S. Senator Hillary Rodham Clinton, who preceded him, Sharon's speech was longer on broad statements than policy proposals.
Sharon was clear in that the disengagement plan is not part of the roadmap peace plan. He pledged his support for the plan, but said Israel and the Palestinians are currently in the "pre-roadmap" phase.
Sharon was noticeably relaxed during his talk, the last one on his short U.S. swing.
He made several quips, including one about how he hoped Knesset Opposition Leader Yosef Lapid of Shinui was in the audience.
"I hope he is still here," Sharon said of Lapid. "It’s dangerous to leave the head of the opposition on his own anywhere."
He also joked how his ranch in the Negev desert has more cows than that of President George W. Bush in Crawford, Texas, where Sharon visited last month.
Two minor incidents occurred during the speech, both of which came as he mentioned how the disengagement plan would strengthen Israel’s security.
One woman shouted that she is a Gush Katif resident; she was quickly taken from the room by security guards.
A small group of orange-wearing protesters opposed to the disengagement plan greeted AIPAC members as they filed from the large convention center on their way to Capitol Hill, where they are spending the day meeting with hundreds of congressmen and senators.
The group's main focus is lobbying Congress and building bipartisan support there for Israel. Numerous congressmen and senators have been at the three-day conference to show their support for the group and for Israel.
The presence of an ongoing FBI investigation into whether recently fired Aipac staffers passed clasified material to Israel did not deter political support from Capitol Hill or the U.S. administration.
U.S. Secretary of State Condoleezza Rice spoke on Monday and was supporive of the organization and its leadership.
