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Things are getting patched up:

Sharon calls Powell after White House blasts PM comments

By Aluf Benn, Ha'aretz Correspondent, Ha'aretz Service and agencies

Prime Minister Ariel Sharon called U.S. Secretary of State Colin Powell on Friday, in an attempt to soften the diplomatic strain created Thursday evening between the two countries. The White House responded harshly earlier Friday to comments made by Sharon the day before, in which the prime minister said that the United States risked appeasing Arab nations at Israel's expense.

An announcement released Friday by the Prime Minister's Office stated that Sharon expressed his appreciation for the deep friendship and the special relationship shared by the U.S. and Israel, in particular with President George W. Bush.

In their telephone conversation, Sharon asked Powell to pass on his blessings to Bush for his courageous and daring decision to fight terror, a stance that Israel supported and one in which it was a full partner. Sharon told Powell that Israel has suffered from terrorism since its creation and the government of Israel is obligated to protect its citizens and prevent all acts of terror against innocent civilians.

The White House indicated Friday the level of displeasure with which it had greeted Sharon's remarks. "Those comments made by the prime minister are unacceptable in the president's opinion," President George W. Bush's spokesman, Ari Fleischer, told reporters.

"Israel has no better friend than the United States and will have no better friend than the United States," Fleischer said. He refused to be drawn into a debate on claims that Israel's policies toward the Palestinians was one of the motives behind the September 11 attacks.

"If a beautiful and lasting peace were brought to the Middle East today, terrorism would still exist," he said.

During his speech at a press conference in Tel Aviv, Sharon cited the "dreadful mistake of 1938" when Europe "decided to sacrifice Czechoslovakia" to the Nazis.

The prime minister also stressed that "all of our efforts to reach a cease-fire were foiled by the Palestinians and the fire did not stop, not even for a single day. We can only rely on ourselves."

Sharon's comments reflected the growing disappointment in the American administration's position regarding terrorism in the region, in the aftermath of the September 11 attacks on New York and Washington. Particularly disturbing is the fact that Syria and Iran - who back the Lebanese militant group Hezbollah - are not being held accountable for their role in sponsoring terrorist activities against Israel.

Powell tells Arafat that PA must move to end violence Americans officials said Friday that Secretary of State Colin Powell demanded in a phone conversation with Yasser Arafat on Thursday that the Palestinian Authority Chairman take action to fulfill his cease-fire obligations, Israel Radio reported. The call came after Powell discussed with Prime Minister Ariel Sharon and Foreign Minister Shimon Peres recent incidents of Palestinian violence in the territories.

Following a cabinet meeting in the West Bank town of Ramallah on Friday morning, the Palestinian Authority released a statement calling on all Palestinian groups to stop attacks on Israel.

"The cease-fire is a Palestinian interest and all forces and officials are to strictly honor it," the announcement said. It also said that steps were being taken to ensure that the cease-fire is honored in manner that will prevent Israel from claiming that the Palestinian actions are "terror."

Minister for Regional Cooperation Dan Meridor and Public Security Minister Uzi Landau will next week travel to the U.S. to meet with senior White House and State Department officials. Former Israeli Ambassador to the U.S. Zalman Shoval will also visit Washington during the same period, as a personal envoy of the prime minister. The three will clarify the Israeli position, and attempt to convince the Americans to take action against Palestinian terror groups and Hezbollah.

Sharon spoke with Powell by telephone Thursday and told him: "Arafat is not doing anything to prevent terror, attacks, shooting and incitement. There was not one day of quiet. We understand that we can only rely on ourselves. We will of course try to assist the coalition in any way, because we face the same enemy."

Sharon repeated his request to Powell to include Hamas, Islamic Jihad and Hezbollah on the list of terror organizations "to be addressed immediately," because "that is the one thing that will put pressure on Arafat to take action."