Posted on 06/05/2003 12:51:24 AM PDT by JohnHuang2
Edited on 07/12/2004 4:03:33 PM PDT by Jim Robinson. [history]
In an event that may be remembered as a turning point in the search for Middle East peace, Israeli Prime Minister Ariel Sharon and Palestinian Prime Minister Mahmoud Abbas took a number of major steps forward during yesterday's historic peace summit in Aqaba, Jordan. The two leaders went beyond what they have previously said in describing concrete steps they are prepared to take in order to achieve peace. Mr. Sharon said that Israel supports President Bush's vision of two independent states, one Israeli and one Palestinian, living side-by-side in peace. The Israeli leader — until recently his country's best-known advocate of territorial expansion — pledged to immediately remove settlement outposts that were established without government approval. Also, in remarks that would be revolutionary for any Likud Party politician — and are even more so in Mr. Sharon's case — he said his government understands the importance of "territorial contiguity" for an independent state of Palestine, a key demand from the Arab side.
(Excerpt) Read more at washtimes.com ...
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