Jerusalem, 4 April 2002
PM Sharon meets with US Envoy Zinni
Prime Minister Ariel Sharon met this evening (Thursday), April 4,
2002, with US envoy General (ret) Anthony Zinni and made clear the
following points:
1. In order to reach the political process with the Palestinians that
Israel eminently desires, Palestinian terror and its organizers must
be defeated first.
2. To this end, Operation Defensive Shield will continue in order to
achieve the goal set by the government.
3. Prime Minister Sharon emphasized that a capitulation to the terror
of the suicide-attackers would lead to the spread of this awful type
of terrorism in the world. Therefore, determined action must be taken
against it and Israel will do this.
4. Israel demands that wanted fugitives and illegal weapons be handed
over forthwith.
5. Israel emphasizes that negotiations on political issues at a time
when Palestinian terror has yet to be defeated would lead to the
continuation and intensification of the latter.
6. Prime Minister Sharon has decided to enable US envoy Zinni to meet
with Palestinian Authority Chairman Yasser Arafat in the wake of
General Zinni's request to do so.