Israel will start to implement a series of major unilateral moves in the West Bank and Gaza Strip in about six months, including the withdrawal from certain settlements, Ariel Sharon's deputy, Ehud Olmert said in an interview published Tuesday in JPost.
"In my estimation, by the month of June our preparations for major unilateral moves will be complete...and this plan, including withdrawal from certain settlements, will begin to be implemented in the second half of this year," he told The Jerusalem Post.
Olmert said he would prefer to reach an agreement with the Palestinians instead of such unilateral steps, but he does not believe any political accord can be reached with the Palestinian Authority in the foreseeable future.
"Abu Ala (PA Prime Minister, Ahmed Qurei) is unable, or does not want to take the minimum steps needed to create the basis for real political negotiations," he said. Olmert said his dismal view of the Palestinian leadership is also shared by the Americans.
A close ally and confidant of Sharon, Olmert is often the first to go public with future government policy.
© 2004 Al Bawaba (www.albawaba.com)
