The Associated Press
An Israeli tank keeps watch Sunday on Manger Square, in front of the Church of the Nativity, in the Old City of the West Bank town of Bethlehem. Israelis and Palestinians reportedly have the broad outlines of an agreement that would end the standoff. About 100 people remain inside the church. STORY / A2

Sharon

Arafat

Hopes for Mideast peace turn to United States

Sharon in U.S.; Bush reaffirms backing for Palestinian state

DANA MILBANK, THE WASHINGTON POST

Originally published Monday, May 6, 2002

WASHINGTON -- On the eve of Prime Minister Ariel Sharon's visit to the United States, Bush administration officials Sunday made clear that Israel would have to reckon with Yasser Arafat despite Israeli arguments that he is tied to terrorists.

Sharon is coming to meet with President Bush and top administration officials in Washington this week intent on documenting Arafat's links to militant organizations. But Bush's top diplomatic and security officials, in a series of Sunday appearances, continued to make the case that Arafat must be regarded as the Palestinian leader.

National Security adviser Condoleezza Rice said the United States has urged Israel not to place "unnecessary restraint" on Arafat, and she said Israel should allow him to travel to and from Cairo for a meeting with Arab leaders.

"Clearly Yasser Arafat is the person ... whom the Palestinian people have chosen to lead them," Rice said on CNN's "Late Edition."

Sharon, who will meet with Bush on Tuesday, intends to present a report linking Arafat to the financing of militants.

Two-state solution

In another area of potential differences with the Israeli leader, the officials reaffirmed Bush's view that a two-state solution is the best option for peace. Sharon's Likud Party is expected May 12 to pass a measure rejecting Palestinian statehood.

But Rice said Sunday that "the president made clear in his April 4 speech that Israel also has responsibilities, that eventually a two-state solution is going to make Israel more secure."

The officials also made clear they expect Israel to address the issue of Israeli settlements in Palestinian territory. The settlements have multiplied under Sharon.

Secretary of State Colin Powell, on "Meet the Press," said "Something has to be done about the problem of settlements. I'm sure this will be part of our discussion with Prime Minister Sharon."

The Olympian Copyright 2002

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