Sharon blamed for blocking 'roadmap'


There is widespread scepticism in the Arabic press - and some of the Israeli papers - over whether Israeli Prime Minister Ariel Sharon is committed to the US-led "roadmap" peace plan.

Several papers argue that Israel is trying to delay the execution of the plan, as well as water down the commitments imposed upon it under the proposals.


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The murderer Ariel Sharon is now trying to deprive our Palestinian brothers of all their political cards, even before engaging in any peace negotiations. The most important card that he wants to dislodge from the Palestinians is the intifada.

Al-Bayan - UAE


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From the word go, and even before the implementation of the roadmap begins, the Israeli prime minister has been determined to kill it at its infancy. Israel wants to reject the roadmap proposal and wants amendments introduced, as mere security proposals, in order to suit its objectives of emptying the plan of all political commitments that Israel will have to fulfil.

Al-Khalij - UAE


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The Palestinian crisis continued this week, with Palestinian Islamic groups successfully resisting pressures by the Zionists and US Secretary of State Colin Powell. The Zionists continue to pursue their objective of disarming the intifada through Palestinian Prime Minister Abu Mazen of the self-rule government, an aim which has been ridiculed by most Palestinian groups.

Jomhuri-ye Eslami - Iran


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The US is the only party which can resolve the Israeli-Palestinian dispute and bring about peace in the region, as it is the only country controlling the game and is the owner of the original roadmap proposal.

Al-Akhbar - Egypt


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Evidence shows that the postponement of the roadmap schedule itself is Israel's objective, as the roadmap strategy fixed 2005 as the year for announcing the Palestinian state. The Palestinians have accepted the roadmap despite its shortcomings while Israel has come up with over 15 objections to the US-led peace proposal... As Israel endeavours to sabotage the US peace proposal, it is the responsibility of the international community, the US and the forces of peace to take charge and impose their will to guarantee the plan's implementation.

Al-Quds - Palestinian


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The two US envoys, Steve Hadley and Elliot Abrams, promised Sharon that he had nothing to worry about. The US will not demand that Israel withdraw under fire. In other words, the US will sit on the sidelines while Sharon and Abu Mazen trade constraints and excuses.

Ha'aretz - Israel


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Sharon and his men are crushing any splinter of political chance, any stub of a creative idea for a peace settlement. With the effort exerted in trying to kill off the roadmap, it would have been possible to build a big bridge of hope.

Yediot Aharonot - Israel

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