Jerusalem, 5 December 2001
PM Sharon meets with US envoy Zinni: Israel is thoroughly committed to reaching a diplomatic agreement
and peace
(Communicated by the Prime Minister's Media Adviser)
Prime Minister Ariel Sharon met on Wednesday night, December 5,
2001, with American envoy General Anthony Zinni and US Ambassador
to Israel Daniel Kurtzer. Prime Minister Sharon told General
Zinni that he was pleased that General Zinni had decided to stay
in Israel, as we attribute great importance to his mission, and
Israel is thoroughly committed to reaching a diplomatic agreement
and peace.
Prime Minister Sharon asked General Zinni and Ambassador Kurtzer
to convey his thanks to US President George Bush for advancing
their meeting in Washington, and his admiration for the brave
leadership he is exhibiting standing at the head of the free
world in its fight against global terrorism.
Prime Minister Sharon told General Zinni that the government
decided on Sunday night to declare that the Palestinian Authority
is an entity that supports terrorism. In accordance with this
decision, the Ministerial Committee for National Security is
authorized to take decisions on military, diplomatic and economic
issues. The Prime Minister briefed the General on Israel's
requirements of the Palestinian Authority including: arrest of
terrorists, their accomplices and their controllers; the
dismantling of all terrorist organizations, and arrest of their
leadership; confiscation of all illegal weapons and their removal
from PA territory; preventative action to foil terror attacks;
and an absolute cessation of violence.
Prime Minister Sharon told General Zinni that we cannot currently
identify any change in Arafat, and the terror attack in Jerusalem
Wednesday morning, which only by miracle did not end with more
serious results, only proves that point. The Prime Minister added
that only by pressuring Arafat will it be possible to convince
him to make a strategic decision to abandon terrorism and fulfill
all Israel's requirements and his commitments. Prime Minister
Sharon made clear to General Zinni that Israel will continue its
actions, and Arafat must bring about absolute quiet and fulfill
all Israel's requirements and his commitments.