Last week, the President expressed frustration over the stalled negotiations between Israel and the Palestinians on the scope of a troop withdrawal from the occupied West Bank. Weizman reportedly complained at the time that he had been misled by Netanyahu, with the prime minister having assured him agreement on a troop withdrawal was imminent.

Netanyahu, in turn, began floating the idea of a referendum on a pullback of troops from the territory, which Israel seized from Jordan in the 1967 West Asia war. However, the proposal faded from the headlines several days ago after it became apparent that Netanyahu would not have a majority in Parliamentfor preparatory legislation.

With Netanyahu backing off a referendum, another gauge of public opinion is needed, Weizman said today. ``If he does not conduct a referendum, in my opinion the next solution needs to be elections,'' Weizman said. ``The sooner we go to elections the sooner we will know what the public thinks.''

DPA adds Jerusalem: Weizman's remarks sparked controversy as they marked the first time in Israeli history that a president has called for the dissolution of a Government. Weizman's statements also revealed an unprecedented rift between the state's top two officials. The peace process is limping. ``The president behaves as though he was the politicial partner of the opposition,'' charged Health Minister Yehoushua Matza. Science Minister Michael Eitan blasted the State-head. The president should not forget that he has no executive powers. The prime minister is in charge of the peace process and the president should wait. No-one appointed him to stand by with a stop watch.

Presidentialaide Arye Shumer was unrepentant, however. The president is worried about the state of the peace process and what he said represents the heartfelt feelings of the people, he told Israel Radio.