Sharon Aide Nixes Palestinian State (most candidate statement in a while)

[Selwynn]

By KARIN LAUB, Associated Press Writer

JERUSALEM - The real objective of Ariel Sharon's offer to withdraw from the Gaza Strip and parts of the West Bank is to freeze Palestinian statehood indefinitely, with U.S. blessing, the prime minister's point man with the Bush administration said in an interview published Wednesday.

The Haaretz daily also quoted the adviser, Dov Weisglass, as saying Israel is avoiding negotiations with the Palestinians because it does not want to discuss thorny issues such as the future of Jerusalem and the fate of Palestinian refugees.

The unusually frank comments contradicted the Israeli government's assurances that it remains committed to the U.S.-backed "road map" and its vision of Palestinian statehood, and that Israel was ready to resume peace negotiations once the Palestinian leadership changes.

http://story.news.yahoo.com/news?tmpl=story2&u=/ap/20041006/ap_on_re_mi_ea/israel_palestinians

[Selwynn]

1. I can't believe no one cares about this story

Israel/Palestine came up in the debates, and everyone said that Edwards blew the answer, while at least Cheney talked about a 2 state solution.

Those guys have no intention whatsoever of seriously allowing a palestinian state.

[Briar]

2. If more Americans cared about Palestine

or had the courage to say they did, Sharon would not have been able to get away with this outrageous behaviour.