Israeli Prime Minister Ariel Sharon and PLO leader Mahmoud Abbas (Abu Mazen) each told Newsweek in separate and exclusive interviews released on Sunday that they are prepared to meet each other.
When asked by the magazine if he is ready to meet with Abbas, Sharon replied, "When they would like to meet, we will meet."
Abbas, who confirmed Palestinian elections will be held on January 9, said "after the elections, I'm ready to meet at any time with Sharon." The Israeli leader left open the possibility of advancement in the peace process, saying "now it depends on whether the (new Palestinian leadership) can bring an end to terror and incitement. Then there might be a window of opportunity."
Abbas also described the current period following the death of Yasser Arafat as an opportunity for the region and the international community. "But if we miss this opportunity, there is no one to be blamed but ourselves," the PLO leader said.
Sharon also told Newsweek he intends to coordinate his "disengagement plan" with a new Palestinian government if it can "assume control over areas we evacuate."
Abbas admitted the Palestinian Authority is not currently prepared to take security responsibility following an Israeli withdrawal, describing the situation as "some sort of chaos, especially in Gaza." The PLO leader said "we are ready to take (Gaza Strip) when we rebuild our security apparatus... I'm working very hard to rebuild the security apparatus."
Sharon said Israel will take all the necessary steps to enable the Palestinians to conduct elections for Palestinian Authority chairmanship "with as little interference as possible - by opening the roads and taking our forces out of their towns."
Abbas told the Palestinian parliament last week that he would follow in Arafat's footsteps and demand that Israel recognize the right of return of Palestinian refugees to Israel. However, Abbas told Newsweek in the interview released Sunday he did not make such a demand of Israel.
"I didn't say that," the PLO leader told the magazine. "I'm not talking about anything beyond the road map. According to the road map, there should be a just and agreed-upon solution for the refugees according to (United Nations Resolution) 194. President Bush said that there should be a two-state solution; the Palestinian state should be independent, viable and contiguous."
