JERUSALEM, October 11: Ahead of a crucial West Asia summit this week in Washington, Israel's cabinet will oppose a US initiative for its troops to withdraw from 13 per cent of the West Bank, an Israeli newspaper reported today.Such a declaration by the Israeli government ahead of talks between Prime Minister Benjamin Netanyahu, US President Bill Clinton and Palestinian leader Yasser Arafat could harm chances to end months of stalemate and complete a peace deal.
Netanyahu was meeting with his inner cabinet today, including Ariel Sharon, the foreign minister-designate who also opposes the withdrawal plan, to prepare for the October 15 summit.
The summit will centre around a US peace plan that calls on Israel to withdraw from 13 per cent of the West Bank in exchange for Palestinian measures against Islamic militants.
Copyright © 1998 Indian Express Newspapers (Bombay) Ltd.
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