Demand is high for meetings with PM during UN session

By Shlomo Shamir NEW YORK – Israel’s UN mission has been swamped with requests from a large number of UN member delegations to arrange a meeting between their heads of state and Prime Minister Ariel Sharon. A record number of 175 presidents, heads of state and prime ministers is expected to arrive in New York to celebrate the 60th year anniversary of the United Nations in two weeks. The 2005 World Summit will begin in New York on September 14, and will last three days. Sharon will arrive on the 13th and will address the general assembly on September 15. „The number of requests to meet with Sharon is enormous,” Israel’s ambassador to the UN Dan Gilerman told Haaretz. Gilerman said that each request was being considered, including requests from countries that do not have diplomatic relations with Israel. However, the PM’s schedule will be finalized by the Prime Minister’s Office. Gilerman estimates Sharon will meet with 16 heads of state, including leaders of four of the five permanent members of the UN Security Council: Russia, France, China and Britain. According to sources close to the United State’s UN delegation it is unclear whether President George W. Bush, who will take part in the summit, will hold official meetings with heads of state during his stay in New York. If the White House decides to schedule such meetings, it is likely a Bush-Sharon meeting would be arranged. The prime minister is to return to Israel on September 18. Foreign Minister Silvan Shalom, who will also attend the summit, will stay in New York and participate in the regular assembly session that will start right after the World Summit. Shalom will meet approximately 40 foreign ministers during his stay in New York. BPI-info