Reported from Jerusalem…
1. BUSH, SHARON MEET; FENCE ISSUE TONED DOWN… President George W. Bush and Israeli Prime Minister Ariel Sharon met at the White House on Tuesday in what is being depicted as a friendly and positive discussion of the “Road Map for Peace.” Mr. Sharon, referring to the issue that has emerged as the most fractious between the two nations, told reporters during his joint press conference with the President that there had been no discussion of the security fence. Nevertheless, Mr. Bush cautioned Sharon to “carefully consider all the consequences of Israel’s actions as we move forward on the road to peace,” – a comment believed by most to be a reference to the fence. A White House spokesman also later reiterated that Bush is still “worried” by the building of the fence, but the message of the meeting that the two leaders wanted to convey was the need for the Palestinian Authority to fight terror and dismantle the terrorist organizations. Mr. Bush also supported the Israeli stance on not releasing prisoners “with blood on their hands.” He praised Israel for easing restrictions on Palestinians.
2. U.S., ISRAEL DISCUSS INCREASING THREAT FROM IRAN… American and Israeli officials have been discussing the increasing threat from Iran, and the issue was raised during Tuesday’s meeting between President Bush and Prime Minister Sharon at the White House. Sharon told Mr. Bush that Iran is increasing its support for Palestinian terrorists, and is proceeding with the development of nuclear weapons. Tehran is reportedly paying the families of suicide bombers $50,000 – twice that paid by Saddam Hussein until the Iraqi war. Recently, Mr. Bush warned that Iran and Syria would be “held accountable” if they continue to support terror.
3. ISRAEL MAKES-UP WITH AUSTRIA… After three and a half years without an ambassador in Austria, Israel has decided to return relations with that European nation to full status. Foreign Minister Sylvan Shalom said on Tuesday that Israel will send an ambassador to Vienna for the first time since Jorg Haider’s Freedom Party entered the Austrian government. Austria’s Foreign Minister Benita Ferraro-Waldner is currently visiting Israel.
4. CONTROVERSIAL CITIZENSHIP RESTRICTION BILL BOGS DOWN… An attempt to plug what some view as a legislative loophole that aids terror has bogged down in committee amid controversy. Sponsors of the government bill that is presently before the Knesset (Israel’s parliament) claim that Palestinians living in the territories marry Israelis so they can move inside of pre-1967 Israel and have greater ease in perpetrating terror attacks. Citing the reason of security, they want to ban citizenship or residency status to Palestinians who marry Israelis. The measure has been harshly criticized by the legal adviser to the Knesset committee handling the bill, as well as by Arab members of Knesset and human rights groups. The bill must pass two more readings in the Knesset in order to become law.
5. PHONE COMPANY NEXT STOP IN PRIVATIZATION PLAN… Finance Minister Binyamin Netanyahu has named Bezeq, the national phone company, as the next target for privatization. According to a statement issued by the Finance Ministry on Tuesday, 12-14% of the government’s 51% holding will be sold through the capital market and 30-40% in private sale. The intent is to further the government’s privatization efforts and at the same time increase competition in the telecommunications market.