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Abbas says any Gaza talks must follow 'road map'
 Presidential frontrunner Mahmoud Abbas appeared on Thursday to reject coordinating with Israel on a plan that means quitting occupied Gaza while keeping large chunks of the West Bank. But Abbas later said Palestinians could coordinate on a Gaza pullout if was part of a US-backed peace "road map" meant to lead to a Palestinian state. Israeli Prime Minister Ariel Sharon had earlier offered to talk to the Palestinians over coordination of his "Disengagement Plan", which he had initially designed as a unilateral initiative, but also reiterated that Israel intended to keep major West Bank settlements. "The terms mentioned by Sharon were not new. They prejudge the final-status negotiations and are unacceptable," Abbas said. Abbas later qualified his comments, saying: "The Palestinians will coordinate with Israel on the Gaza withdrawal only if it is part of the road map." The internationally sponsored road map is a plan for a Palestinian state alongside Israel that has been stymied by violence and the failure of both sides to meet promised commitments. Posted by: Fred 2004-12-18 |
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