Posted on 02/03/2003 6:50:08 AM PST by anotherview
Sharon reports to Mitzna on secret talks with Palestinians
By GIL HOFFMAN
Prime Minister Ariel Sharon reported to Labor Party leader Amram Mitzna today about secret contacts being held with moderate Palestinians with the aim of quickly resuming peace talks once a new government is formed.
But Mitzna flatly rejected Sharon's appeal for Labor to join his new ruling coalition as part of a unity government.
Mitzna's aides said after the two met for two hours at the Prime Minister's Office that Sharon presented "more extremist views than Likud espoused in the campaign and did not leave an opening for any kind of compromise."
According to Labor officials, Sharon would not budge on his policies toward Jewish settlement in the territories. Labor has demanded an immediate pullback from the Gaza Strip, including an evacuation of settlements.
The officials added that Labor has no plans to name a negotiating team to deliberate the possibility of joining a Sharon-led government.
Disclaimer: Opinions posted on Free Republic are those of the individual posters and do not necessarily represent the opinion of Free Republic or its management. All materials posted herein are protected by copyright law and the exemption for fair use of copyrighted works.