But can he control those forces?
If he wants to move forward, he'll have to control his forces. We understand that they have problems. . .
Q&A: Another Chance
Yasser Arafat's death has created new possibilities for Mideast peace. Already on the table is Israeli Prime Minister Ariel Sharon's plan to withdraw Israeli troops and settlers from Gaza. The next question: Will the Palestinians be able to provide security in Gaza after the withdrawal? Newsweek-Washington Post's Lally Weymouth talked last week with Sharon, 76, and Palestinian leader Mahmoud Abbas, 69, also known as Abu Mazen. Excerpts:
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Mahmoud Abbas: 'We Can't Wait'
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Ariel Sharon: Stay With Road Map
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The Post's opinion and commentary section runs every Sunday.
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I want to make something very clear. With the flowering of political initiatives in Europe, I'm willing to make compromises and move the process forward, but there can be no compromise on Israel's security. There will be no political initiatives other than the road map to peace. The Palestinians are already talking about moving to final status talks. That does not fit the road map and their commitments. It should be exactly according to the road map.
Are you going to run again for prime minister?
Yes. [The disengagement] is complicated and one should not do anything but help the disengagement plan go forward. I don't think that anybody will be able to do it except me.
Because the settlers will listen to you?
I don't think they will listen to me . . . But it's going to happen.
If you get rid of Gaza, does it make Israel more secure?
I believe the security situation will be improved because it's a major effort to defend the area and the people that live there. It will be better from every point of view -- for Israel's international situation, there will be no possibility of putting pressure on Israel, and I think the economy will do better. As I said, it's very hard and needs a lot of determination but I think it's important and it's going to happen.
