Christian Message Boards: Don't interfere, Sharon tells EU

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Posted by Kindgo (Member # 2) on :

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The Israeli prime minister, Ariel Sharon, warned European countries yesterday to stay out of Middle East peace-making until they accepted his view that Yasser Arafat, the Palestinian leader, should be removed from power.

Mr Sharon's comments suggested an intention to torpedo an international peace initiative due to be launched after the Israeli elections in eight days' time.

The prime minister proclaimed his respect for Tony Blair and other European leaders, but said their views were "unbalanced" and they should leave peace-making to the Americans.

Mr Sharon says the Palestinian leader should be "removed from a position of influence", with power given to a prime minister who would run the administration, leaving Mr Arafat as a mere "symbol".

"This is the American position. But for the Europeans, Mr Arafat is still the address [for dealing with the Palestinians]. So long as this lasts, it will only waste time," he said.

A new "road map" for peace leading to a Palestinian state is due to be released by negotiators from America, Russia, the European Union and the United Nations after the elections. Under Israeli pressure, Washington has delayed the plan's publication, which the EU wanted in December.

Mr Sharon earlier dismissed the four negotiators - known as the Quartet - as "nothing". "Don't take it seriously," he told Newsweek magazine. His office rushed to correct the impression that he was dismissing the American contribution. It issued a statement saying Israel and America saw eye to eye on the road map, "in contrast to the position of the other Quartet members".

Mr Sharon's aim appeared to be to drive a wedge between the Americans and the other negotiators.