PM SHARON MEETS WITH US SEN. KERRY

(Communicated by the Prime Minister's Media Adviser)
Monday, 10 January, 2005

Prime Minister Ariel Sharon met this morning (Monday), 10.1.05, in his
Jerusalem office, with US Senator John Kerry (D-MA), who is on a regional
visit in order to - inter alia - observe the election process in the
Palestinian Authority (PA).

At the beginning of the meeting, Prime Minister Sharon said, "Senator John
Kerry is a friend of Israel. We are certain that his visit will contribute
to the strengthening of Israeli-US relations and the peace process in our
region."

Sen. Kerry said: "It's a great honor. it's a great privilege for me to be
back in Israel. I have had the pleasure of visiting here many times now,
and visiting with the Prime Minister, who has always received me graciously.
This is a trip I'm making through the region in order to make judgments
about where we stand now that the [PA] elections have taken place."

Sen. Kerry emphasized that Israel is a special ally of the US and that the
network of bilateral relations can not be torn apart: "I am proud to be here
to talk with the Prime Minister about the days ahead, which are potentially
historic and important obviously to all of us."

Sen. Kerry added that, "The security of Israel is the paramount concern.The
United States - both parties, Republican and Democrat - stand behind Israel
in that effort."

Prime Minister Sharon thanked Sen. Kerry for the clear positions on Israel
that he held to during the recent US presidential race and told him about
his meeting with his brother Cameron. Senator Kerry replied that while he
and President George Bush had differing views regarding Iraq and other
issues, in the issue of Israel there was no argument.

On the Palestinian issue, Prime Minister Sharon said: "At the current stage,
after yesterday's elections, the main thing is to focus on what the
Palestinians are doing vis-a-vis terrorism. We were in constant contact
with the Palestinians and provided them with all necessary assistance in
order to hold a successful election process. The Palestinians are still not
fighting terrorism and Abu Mazen's statements during the election campaign
were not encouraging, but he will be tested by his actions after the
elections. He will be tested by the manner in which he fights terrorism and
works to dismantle its infrastructures. A ceasefire is an internal
Palestinian issue that Israel has no part in but if there is quiet, as a
first step, Israel's response would be quiet."

Prime Minister Sharon added that Israel would be prepared to revive security
cooperation between the security organizations and would be ready to
coordinate various issues in the framework of the Disengagement plan. The
Prime Minister said that if terrorism continues until the implementation of
the Disengagement Plan, Israel's response would be sharper than ever before.

Prime Minister Sharon updated Sen. Kerry on progress in the Disengagement
Plan and said that Israel would fully implement the Disengagement Plan
according to the timetable that has been determined. "Implementing the
Disengagement Plan has the potential of returning to the diplomatic
negotiations according to the Roadmap if the Palestinians do what they have
committed to doing vis-a-vis fighting and eliminating terrorism and enacting
comprehensive government reforms."

Sen. Kerry said that everyone hopes that Abu Mazen will be a different
leader than his predecessor and asked what the US could do to help the
Disengagement Plan, especially regarding the development of the Negev and
the Galilee.

Prime Minister Sharon briefed Sen. Kerry on political developments in Israel
and on the government that would be established this evening.

Regarding Syria, Prime Minister Sharon said that it was important to
continue pressuring Damascus and not to let up in response to Assad's peace
statements. How President Assad deals with the terrorist organizations will
be a true indicator of his intentions. Syria is playing a negative role in
the region and continues to be a transit country for various terrorist
organizations, including Hezbollah. Syria must stop providing sanctuary for
the terrorist organizations (including Hezbollah and the Revolutionary
Guards), close the terrorist organizations' offices, dismantle the missile
infrastructure in Lebanon and end the Syrian occupation there in fulfillment
of UN Security Council Resolution #1559 ( http://tinyurl.com/4qlac ).

Prime Minister Sharon added that Israel would be happy to hold talks with
all Arab countries but said that we do not see any indication of goodwill by
the Syrians apart from their desire to ease the international pressure on
them.

The two men also discussed Egypt's role in the process, the unauthorized
outposts and the Iranian issue.