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Bush invites Sharon to White House

FORT CAMPBELL, Kentucky (CNN) -- President Bush has invited Israeli Prime Minister Ariel Sharon to the White House for a "working visit" December 3-4, a Bush spokesman said Wednesday.

The invitation is a further sign the Bush administration is increasing efforts to reduce tensions between Israelis and Palestinians.

"The United States and Israel share common interests in many areas, including the international campaign against terrorism and the pursuit of peace in the Middle East," said White House press secretary Ari Fleischer in a written statement.

"The president looks forward to discussing these and other bilateral and regional issues with the prime minister," Fleischer said.

Bush was at Fort Campbell on Wednesday to meet with troops of 101st Airborne Division.

Two days ago, Secretary of State Colin Powell announced he would send retired Marine Gen. Anthony Zinni to the Middle East to work with Israel and the Palestinians on reaching a true cease-fire.

EXTRA INFORMATION
The Mitchell plan 
 

Powell said the Mitchell plan is the road map the two sides should follow to restarting negotiations, referring to the recommendations made earlier this year by an international committee chaired by former U.S. Sen. George Mitchell.

"The Palestinians must eliminate any doubt once and for all that they accept the legitimacy of Israel as a Jewish state," Powell said. "The Palestinians must end violence, stop incitement and prepare people for hard compromises ahead."

On the other side, Powell said, "Israel must be willing to end its occupation and accept a viable Palestinian state."

To accomplish that, he said, the Palestinian Authority needs to make a "100 percent effort to end the violence and the terror." That includes efforts to "arrest, prosecute and punish" those responsible for terrorism, Powell said.

The Israelis, he said, need to recognize the occupation of Palestinian territories "undermines Palestinian trust" and settlement activity "cripples the chances for real peace."

Powell said the United States is willing to work with both sides on a monitoring and verification force the two parties would accept.

-- CNN White House Correspondent Kelly Wallace contributed to this report.



 
 
 
 



RELATED SITES:
• Israeli Government
• Palestinian Authority
• U.S. Department of State
• The White House
• United Nations

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