21.12.2003 HAARETZ 1. LIBYA SURPRISES: WE WILL HALT DEVELOPMENT OF WEAPONS OF MASS DESTRUCTION. (
). 2. MOFAZ SHARPENS TONE: IF WE ATTACK IRANIAN REACTOR, WE WILL NOT HURT CIVILIANS. 3. DISENGAGEMENT PLAN: ECONOMIC SEPARATION AS WELL. HATZOFEH 1. (
). LIBYA: READY FOR SUPERVISION OVER WEAPONS OF MASS DESTRUCTION. (
). Response in Israel: Libyan declaration will be judged by its results – this is positive trend which will pave way for Libya to join family of nations. 2. REVOLT IN LIKUD AGAINST SHARON. Knesset Speaker Rivlin attacks PM for revealing plan outside Knesset. [Agriculture Minister] Yisrael Katz to demand that Likud conference discuss Sharon plan. 3. FAMILY MEMBERS LEAVING FOR COLOMBIA AHEAD OF RELEASE OF ISRAELI ABDUCTEES. MAARIV 1. PMs Bureau makes it clear: We will dismantle communities, we will not move them. MIGRON TEST. Increasing political storm following Herzliya speech. Today: Likud MKs to visit Migron outpost on solidarity visit. Right threatens: If outpost is dismantled – we will topple government. Assessment: Evacuation will be delayed by one week due to legal difficulties.
2. IDF ASSESSMENT: KHADDAFY IS SERIOUS. (
). Israel satisfied: This is dramatic development. 3. COLOMBIA: ABDUCTEES WILL BE RELEASED WITHIN 48 HOURS. Parents optimistic: Next week we will return to Israel with our boys. (
). 4. THEY HAVE HAD ENOUGH: 1,000 ARGENTINE IMMIGRANTS HAVE LEFT ISRAEL. Desperate family: If its already difficult, then it is preferable there. YEDIOT AHRONOT 1. US President to Yediot Ahronot correspondent Orly Azoulai: PRESIDENT BUSH: WE MUST GET RID OF ARAFAT. On Sharon speech: Speeches are good, but theyre words. I am waiting for actions. Now is the time to get going. I am determined to be active and committed to vision. 2. ISRAEL-LIBYA CONTACTS POSSIBLE. (
). Libyan ruler recently told Yediot Ahronot correspondent Boaz Bismuth: I want peace and brotherhood in the Middle East. 3. ISRAEL DEMANDS: SHAMGAR OR BARAK ON INTERNATIONAL COURT REGARDING FENCE. Goal: Balance Arab judges on Hague court. 4. COLOMBIA ABDUCTEES FAMILIES ON WAY TO MEET THEIR BOYS. Kidnappers promise: We will release the four Israelis tomorrow or Monday. ________________________ SUMMARY OF EDITORIALS FROM THE HEBREW PRESS Yediot Ahronot, in its second editorial, asks whether Prime Minister Ariel Sharons statement at last weeks Herzliya Conference, in which he pledged to implement a unilateral separation from the Palestinians within two months, indicates a dramatic change in his position. The editors argue that irrespective of whether Prime Minister Sharon has undergone such a change, For the first time since he became Prime Minister, Sharon has presented his own policy initiative
from now on we can talk about Sharons plan; his actions will be discussed at a later stage. Yediot Ahronot, in its third editorial, says that the evacuation of Migron, the first populated illegal outpost due to be evacuated, is a significant test for the government. The paper urges the government, IDF and police to prepare thoroughly for the event but notes that currently, The police have no plan of action, the IDF has no idea how it will dismantle dozens of manned outposts, and the government, which is supposed to back them up, has no plan and no consensus. Hatzofeh says that Prime Minister Sharons move to the left is an attempt on his part to avoid an investigation and trial into allegations against him. The paper urges that Sharon be removed from office as soon as possible. Yediot Ahronot celebrates the announcement by Libyan leader Gaddafis to dismantle Libyas weapons of mass destruction and says that This could be an attractive model for North Korea and Iran.
