Israeli Prime Minister Ariel Sharon held a meeting Sunday night with Foreign Minister Shimon Peres and Defense Minister Binyamin Ben Eliezer over issues related to US envoy's return to the region.
The three men discussed whether to resume security meetings with the Palestinians and finalize Israeli stand on the meetings ahead of the return of US Mideast envoy Anthony Zinni to the region, possibly on Friday, Israel Radio reported.
Sharon will continue his demand for seven days of absolute quiet before the implementation of the Tenet ceasefire plan, the radio said.
During his second mediation trip earlier this month, Zinni demanded both Israel and the Palestinians prepare an agreed draft arrangement before his return for implementing ceasefire, based on the "Dahaniya Plan," which was agreed by Peres and Palestinian leader Yasser Arafat last September.
Hours ahead of the consultation, Sharon told foreign reporters that he wanted to reach a political settlement which will lead to peace with the Palestinians and the rest of the Arab world. However, he stressed that he would not resume any talks until the Palestinians dismantle "terrorist organizations," collect all illegal weapons, take preventive steps and stop anti-Israel incitement.
(Xinhua News Agency January 14, 2002)
