2,12,2003 HAARETZ 1. US JOINS INTERNATIONAL SUPPORT: UNDERSTANDINGS PROMOTE TALKS. [Geneva] initiative launch ceremony held yesterday; Beilin: Agreement is virtual – but we are real. 2. OLMERT AND SHARON ASSISTED BY BEN-GURION: JEWISH STATE PREFERABLE OVER GREATER ISRAEL. 3. IDF in the territories: Between Ramallah and Gaza. BOTH SIDES LOOKING FOR FINAL ACHIEVEMENTS BEFORE NEW HUDNA. Three fugitives and boy killed in comprehensive operation to capture Hamas commander in Ramallah.
4. ASSAD: RENEW NEGOTIATIONS AT POINT THEY LEFT OFF. HATZOFEH 1. Assad to US: Prepared to return to negotiating table with Israel without any preconditions. ARAFAT AND THE NEW TRICK: SUPPORTS GENEVA ACCORD – DOES NOT GIVE UP ON RIGHT OF RETURN. Beilin: We will fight for peace despite harsh opposition. Palestinians used their speeches to vilify Israeli government. Israel assesses that Syrian Presidents announcement came in order to reduce American pressure on Damascus. Diplomatic source: He should first cease support of Hizballah and dismantle terror headquarters. 2. PREPARED AS BAIT FOR ISRAELI CHILDREN: EXPLOSIVES IN BASKETBALLS UNCOVERED NEAR MUKATA. IDF organized largest operation in Ramallah since beginning of intifada. Three terrorists killed in against Hamas infrastructure and dozens injured, including terrorists responsible for murder of dozens of Israelis in suicide attacks in Sbarro, Caf? Moment, Caf? Hillel, Tzrifin and Hebrew University cafeteria. 3. CONSTRUCTION BEGINS ON NEW JEWISH NEIGHBORHOOD IN JEBEL MUKHABER. MAARIV 1. Geneva: Demonstration of brotherhood at festive ceremony. Israel: Rabbis declare: Signatories are traitors. FESTIVITIES AND INCITEMENT. Against of protest demonstrations on Palestinian street and call of 250 rabbis that they are traitors, 400 representatives from two peoples stood on stage in Geneva and tried to prove that peace is attainable. Organizers: Next stage – huge demonstrations in Rabin Square. 2. ASSAD PROPOSES: UNCONDITIONAL NEGOTIATIONS. YEDIOT AHRONOT 1. Assad calls for unconditional resumption of negotiations and is prepared for normalization. ISRAEL ASKS ASSAD FOR CLARIFICATIONS. In Jerusalem, planning to turn to third country in order to ascertain Syrian Presidents intentions. Suspicion in Sharons Bureau: Exercise to save Syria from American sanctions. ______________________________ SUMMARY OF EDITORIALS FROM THE HEBREW PRESS Yediot Ahronot claims that, It is the nature of every vacuum to be filled; it is the nature of the continuing diplomatic vacuum created by the Sharon government that it be filled by others. The editors review the number of alternative plans being proposed by various individuals and groups in various spheres and assert that the current government is characterized by pervasive inaction. Yediot Ahronot, in its second editorial, excoriates rabbis who have said that those behind the Geneva Initiative are traitors and calls on the police and the State Prosecutors Office to investigate them for possible criminal wrongdoing. Hatzofeh comments on the preparations for a meeting between Prime Minister Ariel Sharon and Palestinian Prime Minister Abu Ala and suggests that, As someone who is subordinate to Yasser Arafat, it is highly doubtful if Abu Ala will respond positively to Sharons demands, for a cessation of terror and crackdown on terrorist groups and their infrastructure and adds that, According to all indications, the Prime Minister will not find in Abu Ala a genuine interlocutor with whom it will be possible to reach practical agreements. The editors declare that, As long as Yasser Arafat holds the leadership of the Palestinian Authority, there is no reason to talk to a Palestinian prime minister who is subordinate to the head of the PLO, and add that, The time has come for the government in Jerusalem to realize this.
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