New Yorker: PM Sharon Sought Deal With US On Four Alternative WB Retreats

2006-01-16

PM sought interim deal on leaving 20 settlements

Haaretz Staff

www.haaretz.com/ hasen/spages/ 670628.html

In an article appearing in today's New Yorker magazine, Haaretz's Ari Shavit writes that Prime Minister Ariel Sharon ordered the National Security Council to study four alternatives: evacuating isolated settlements in the West Bank; evacuating an entire settlement region, perhaps one near Nablus; withdrawing from 88 percent of the West Bank; and withdrawing from 92 percent of the West Bank. Shavit cites Sharon associates who said that his operative plan was to negotiate with the Palestinians over an interim agreement, under which Israel would evacuate some 20 isolated settlements.

Shavit writes that members of Sharon's inner circle had considered the possibility of withdrawing to the border delineated by the separation fence in return for American recognition of this line as Israel's permanent border.

Shavit adds that several Sharon associates told him they believe that by the end of the decade, Israel will withdraw almost to the fence line, turning the Jordan Valley into a security zone - though it would not necessarily be under Israeli sovereignty.

It is unclear whether Sharon ultimately adopted that idea. According to the article, "knowledgeable sources" said the prime minister had refused to state where the border would be. The sources said he had come to terms with the notion of a Palestinian state, but demanded that it would be demilitarized and would not control Israel's water sources. He also insisted on continued territorial contiguity with Hebron and on control over Jerusalem.

Sharon's associates said that the prime minister believed he would be able to exploit the implementation of the disengagement to compel the Palestinians to commit to a gradual diplomatic process that would not end with a permanent agreement.

Source: IMRA – Independent Media Review and Analysis