Sharon on Washington 'Peace' Trip

28/07/2003| IslamWeb

Israeli Prime Minister Ariel Sharon has arrived in the United States for meetings that could prove crucial to the Middle East peace process. His trip follows that of his Palestinian counterpart Mahmoud Abbas last week. Sharon brings with him a pledge to release more than 500 Palestinian prisoners. But he will also have to discuss the controversial security fence Israel is putting up through the West Bank. Israel says it is to stop 'suicide' bombers but Palestinians see it as a bid to take West Bank land, should two separate states finally be created. George W. Bush openly criticised the fence during Abbas's visit. Israeli Defence Minister Shaul Mofaz focused instead on the prisoner release when he was questioned by journalists. He said the decision to let more than 200 Islamic militants go was a difficult one. Meanwhile, Hizbollah guerrillas are threatening to kidnap more Israelis unless 15 Lebanese detainees are let out of Israeli jails. Hizbollah chief Sheikh Hassan Nasrallah said negotiations would be given one last chance. The group is currently holding three Israeli soldiers. **PHOTO CAPTION*** A Palestinian Ahmed Kabaha stand near his dead 4-year-old nephew Mahmoud Kabaha, near the northern West Bank village of Barta, Friday July 25, 2003. Mahmoud was killed by Jewish troops. (AP Photo/Mohamad Balas)