Jerusalem, May 17, 2003
Meeting Between PM Ariel Sharon and Palestinian PM Mahmoud Abbas (Abu Mazen)
(Communicated by the Prime Minister's Media Adviser)
Prime Minister Ariel Sharon and Palestinian Prime Minister Mahmoud
Abbas (Abu-Mazen) met this evening at the Prime Minister's Office in
Jerusalem. At the opening of the meeting, Prime Minister Ariel Sharon expressed his outrage at the Hamas terrorist attack earlier in Hebron.
Prime Minister Abbas expressed his regrets over the attack.
Also present at the meeting, which lasted approximately 3 hours, were
the Chief of the Prime Minister's Bureau, Dov Weissglas, the Prime
Minister's Military Secretary, Maj. Gen. Yoav Gallant, the Prime
Minister's Foreign Policy Adviser, Shalom Tourgeman, and Media Adviser
Arnon Perlman.
From the Palestinian side the meeting included Chairman of the
Legislative Council, Ahmed Karia, and Minister of State Muhammad
Dahlan. During the meeting, there was an exchange of opinions between
the parties with regard to the manner in which to proceed. The parties
agreed that a cessation of terrorism is a first and vital step to any progress, and the Palestinians promised to make a true and genuine
effort to put a stop to terrorism.
Prime Minister Ariel Sharon and Prime Minister Abbas agreed to meet
again soon after Prime Minister Sharon's return from the United States.
* * *
May 18, 2003: Due to the wave of terror attacks, PM Sharon has decided
to postpone his departure for planned meeting with US President Bush in
Washington. PM Sharon will hold discussions and assessments with
relevant officials.