World leaders on Thursday responded with concerns about the
destinies of both Israeli Prime Minister Ariel Sharon and the
Middle East peace process after the 77-year-old hawkish leader was
put on a respirator for at least 48 hours.
Spokesman for Kofi Annan said the UN chief "is following the
developments closely and very much hopes that the prime minister
will make a speedy recovery."
Annan had been in touch with Israel's ambassador to the UN and
had discussed Sharon's health and the situation in the Middle East
with US Secretary of State Condoleezza Rice, the spokesman
said.
US President George W. Bush said "our nation sends our deepest
sympathies to Ariel Sharon."
"He lies immobilized in an Israeli hospital. We pray for his
recovery. He's a good man, a strong man, a man who cared deeply
about the security of the Israeli people and a man who had a vision
for peace. May God bless him," Bush said.
The French presidential office said President Jacques Chirac
hoped Sharon "will overcome the painful trial he is going
through."
Chirac said he wanted to see continued "courageous initiatives
started by Mr. Sharon that have already won approval from the
entire international community."
Italian Premier Silvio Berlusconi said on a morning radio talk
show that "those who understand the situation in Israel know that
Sharon's decision to close the (Jewish) settlements and withdraw
Israeli troops from Gaza was a courageous decision which was
opposed by many in his own party."
In a message of support to Sharon, South African President Thabo
Mbeki said: "It is our wish and hope that you will recover to
resume your responsibility in leading the government and people of
Israel."
In Australia, Foreign Minister Alexander Downer praised Sharon
for "a pivotal role in the Middle East peace process."
"Australia hopes that all parties to the Middle East peace
process continue the work of Mr. Sharon to bring the roadmap for
the Middle East peace process to fruition," Downer said.
Palestinian leaders also expressed concerns and wished Sharon a
speedy recovery.
Palestinian President Mahmound Abbas voiced his concerns about
Sharon's health in a phone call to senior Israeli officials, Abbas'
aide Nabil Abu Rudeineh said on Thursday.
Palestinian Prime Minister Ahmed Qurei wished Sharon a speedy
recovery. "What concerns us is having a true and serious peace
process and we look toward an Israeli leadership that supports
peace and will be able to negotiate with the Palestinians," he
said.
In Israel, acting Prime Minister Ehud Olmert said the general
elections would be held as scheduled on March 28 despite that
Sharon remained in critical condition.
But Olmert was being challenged by ministers from Israel's
rightist Likud party, who vowed not to resign from the government
as planned in light of Sharon's failing health.
Health Minister Dan Naveh told Israel's Channel 1 television
that the walkout, scheduled for Sunday ahead of the March 28
general elections, "will not happen."
Challenges also came from Palestinian militant groups. The
Islamic Resistance Movement (Hamas) said the Middle East would be a
better place without Sharon.
Hamas spokesman Musheer al-Masri urged the Palestinian
leadership not to be influenced by changes in Israel's
politics.
Anwar Abu Taha, a senior leader of the Islamic Jihad termed
Sharon as "one of the tyrants who has committed scores of bloody
massacres against the Palestinian people."
In the West Bank town of Nablus, Palestinian gunmen fired into
the air to show glee over Sharon's illness, witnesses said.
Sharon was transferred to hospital Wednesday night after
suffering from chest pains. He was later diagnosed with a major
stroke and a massive internal bleeding in the brain, and has since
remained under heavy sedation.
(Xinhua News Agency January 6, 2006)
