SHARON TO CONGRESSIONAL GROUP: ABBAS MUST ASSURE

UNCLAS TEL AVIV 005224

SIPDIS

SENSITIVE

E.O. 12958: N/A
TAGS: IS KPAL OREP PREL XF ISRAELI PALESTINIAN AFFAIRS
SUBJECT: SHARON TO CONGRESSIONAL GROUP: ABBAS MUST ASSURE
QUIET AND PREVENT TERROR



1. Prime Minister Sharon met for 45 minutes August 22 with
an AIPAC-sponsored Republican congressional delegation led by
Rep. Roy Blunt. Rep. Blunt began the meeting by
congratulating Sharon on the success to date of the
disengagement plan, and he asked Sharon to explain Israel's
thinking regarding next steps with the Palestinians.


2. Sharon replied that disengagement is important for both
Israel and the United States. It is a complicated process,
however, in that many of the settlers have been in Gaza for
several decades. Sharon said the process of removing the
settlements has proceeded faster than had been anticipated.


3. Sharon complained that Palestinian terrorism had not
stopped at all during this period. He admitted that it had
been quieter, but asserted that Israeli security forces
continue to deal with significant terror threats daily.


4. Sharon said that he would like to move forward with the
Palestinians but would not do so unless the Palestinians take
steps against terrorism. Sharon said that the two parties
are now in "the pre-roadmap stage." In order to restart the
roadmap, there must be a full cessation of terrorism,
violence and incitement; Palestinians must dismantle the
terrorist organizations; all illegal weapons must be
collected; and Palestinians must undertake the necessary
reforms.


5. Sharon continued that terrorism is the main problem and
he repeated several times that nothing can move forward
unless there is quiet. Sharon said that PA President Abbas
had made a mistake in signing an agreement with Hamas in
which Abbas committed not to dismantle Hamas or to collect
Hamas' weapons. It was also a mistake to agree that Hamas
could participate in Palestinian elections. Sharon said that
the PA had deployed some forces in the run-up to
disengagement but had taken no active steps against
terrorism.


6. Sharon said that the PA should come under more pressure
to take the necessary steps against terrorism. He opined
that the PA might believe that the day will come when Israel
will be pressured to give up its demands with respect to
terrorism. Sharon promised that this day would not come. He
said Israel has faced terrorism for 120 years and that there
will be no compromises if terrorism continues. He said that
his government is the only one in Israel that has the ability
to move forward with the Palestinians; Labor cannot do it and
Likud does not want to do it.


7. Asked about Iran, Sharon said that there is no doubt that
Iran is undertaking an effort to possess nuclear weapons. He
spelled out in detail Iran's continued terror activities,
including efforts to recruit Israeli Arabs to participate in
terrorism against Israel. He said Iran should be brought to
the UN Security Council and put under pressure to abandon its
nuclear program. Sharon said he was not persuaded by
assessments of possible internal change in Iran; such change
could take place, he thought, only if Iran came under heavy
pressure.


8. Asked about Israel's request for additional U.S.
assistance, Sharon described the significant opportunities
for developing agriculture in the Negev and the Galilee.
Israel, he said, has already achieved tremendous advances in
agriculture but it needs U.S. support. He promised the
Congressional representatives that the GOI would provide
further information on its assistance request.

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