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Paleos fire rockets into Israel to start Powellâs "Roadmap" trip
EFL Palestinians fired six crude rockets from the Gaza Strip into Israel on Friday, lightly injuring a 10-year-old girl, while Israeli troops demolished eight Palestinian homes near an area where a car bomb exploded earlier. The violence came a day before the arrival of Secretary of State Colin Powell, who is trying to kick off the "road map" peace plan to end 31 months of fighting and create a Palestinian state. Coexisting with Israel, which differs from the Paleo's goals Israeli Prime Minister Ariel Sharon, meanwhile, praised his new Palestinian counterpart, Mahmoud Abbas, as a "partner" for peace and said he is ready to renew peace talks with Syria without conditions. One of the homemade Qassam rockets fired from Gaza struck a street in the Negev Desert town of Sderot, spraying debris that lightly injured a girl, who was taken to a hospital, police said. Three other people were treated for shock. The rockets struck just a few miles from Sharon's sheep ranch. Militants have fired dozens of the rockets into Israel in recent months. The attacks have caused little damage and few injuries, but Israel considers them a provocation. and a good reason to keep playing whack-a-mole with the "militants" In the Gaza Strip town of Deir el-Balah, Israeli army bulldozers demolished eight homes and damaged another two, making 45 people homeless, the mayor said. The homes are close to the Jewish settlement of Kfar Darom, where a Palestinian blew himself up in a car late Thursday as he rammed into a tank. The attacker was killed, and the Al Aqsa Martyrs' Brigade claimed responsibility. Abbas, who is a senior Fatah leader, has denounced such violence. The U.S.-backed road map urges Palestinians to stop bombings and shootings, while Israel is expected to withdraw troops from Palestinian towns and cities and freeze construction in Jewish settlements in the West Bank and Gaza Strip. The plan envisions a final peace agreement, including the creation of a Palestinian state, by 2005. It is to be launched with statements by both Israel and the Palestinians, with each saying it recognizes the other's right to exist in peace and security. The Palestinians have accepted the road map, while Israel has expressed major reservations. Palestinian Cabinet Minister Saeb Erekat That's true, we can turn the Israelis loose, which would cause the Paleos to do more than statements The Palestinians have accused Sharon of delaying implementation by posing new conditions. A key dispute is over whether the Palestinians must crack down on militants ahead of an Israeli troop pullback, or whether steps must be taken simultaneously. Since we know they lie, prevaricate, delay, kill innocents, support terrorists, ululate at American deaths and injuries, and are without a openly supportive friend in the world, now is the time to use the stick and hold the carrot back for results not statements Posted by: Frank G 2003-05-10 |
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