Jerusalem, May 30: Israeli Prime Minister Ariel Sharon has told his Palestinian counterpart he would lift a punishing closure on the West Bank and free some prisoners, while demanding a swift and comprehensive crackdown on violent groups. The meeting, the second between Sharon and Palestinian Prime Minister Mahmoud Abbas in two weeks was called to discuss disagreements over security and Palestinian statehood that could complicate a three-way summit next week in Jordan with US President George W. Bush.
The meeting came after the Islamic militant group Hamas held out the possibility of a cease-fire to end attacks that have killed hundreds of Israelis in 32 months of violence. In the nearly 3-hour meeting yesterday night, Sharon told Abbas that as a good faith measure he would unilaterally end the 2-week-old closure on the West Bank by Saturday and allow some Palestinian workers to enter Israel.
Israel also would ease some restrictions on roadblocks around Palestinian towns and planned to release some prisoners, according to Israeli and Palestinian officials. Sharon demanded Abbas ``act decisively to stop terrorism, dismantling terror organizations, arresting terrorists, confiscating illegal weapons, stopping incitement and creating an atmosphere of peace,'' according to a statement from Sharon's office.
``The Prime Minister emphasized that only after liquidation of terrorism and a real struggle against it will it be possible to achieve the hoped-for peace,'' it said. Bureau Report