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Israel's Disengagement Plan

(Prime Minister's Office) Prime Minister Ariel Sharon - Prime Minister Sharon told the Conference of Presidents of Major American Jewish Organizations in Jerusalem Thursday: Nine months ago my government approved the "Roadmap" to peace, based on President George Bush's vision. This is a balanced program for step-by-step progress towards genuine peace, to which both Israel and the Palestinians are committed. A full implementation of the program is the best way to achieve a viable peace. The concept behind the President's vision is that "only security will lead to peace." Without full security, including the dismantling of terror organizations and stopping violence and incitement, it will not be possible to achieve genuine peace, a peace for generations. We have no interest in governing the Palestinians. We want them to govern themselves. I still hope that the Palestinians will abandon the path of terror and bloodshed. Then, we will be able to move together towards achieving real and lasting peace. However, we must be realistic, and prepare for the option that the current situation, in which the Palestinians do not implement their part of the President's vision, will continue. In that case, Israel will take the unilateral security step of disengagement from the Palestinians. The purpose of the "Disengagement Plan" is to guarantee maximum security and minimize friction between Israelis and Palestinians. This will include the redeployment of IDF forces along new security lines and a relocation of some settlements. Security will be provided by IDF deployment, the security fence, and other physical obstacles. Obviously, the "Disengagement Plan" will leave the Palestinians with much less than they would have if they had followed the requirements of the Roadmap. Israel will speed up the construction of the security fence - an effective shield against suicide terrorism. The fence has already proved to be effective in preventing terrorist attacks and in saving lives. There is no better example of the cynicism of the world than the decision to hold political discussions at the International Court in the Hague against the fence that will save human lives. The steps that Israel will take in the "Disengagement Plan" will be fully coordinated with the United States. I believe that President Bush and the U.S. Administration are very sensitive to Israel's needs, are committed to its security, and understand Israel's right to defend itself. The "Disengagement Plan" is a security measure and not a political one. The steps that will be taken will not prevent the possibility of implementing the President's vision and reaching an agreed settlement, if and when there is a reliable partner on the Palestinian side.
2004-02-20 00:00:00
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