Sharon hints at uprooting settlements

Prime Minister Ariel Sharon signalled on Sunday he might uproot some isolated Jewish settlements on occupied land and then set Israeli-drawn borders for a Palestinian state if a US-backed peace plan failed.

Palestinians voiced suspicion of what Israeli media dubbed the 8216;8216;Sharon Plan8217;8217; ahead of a meeting between the Right-wing leader and Palestinian PM Ahmed Qurie on reviving the peace 8216;8216;road map8217;8217;. Israeli media described the plan by the long-time champion of settlements not so much a peace gesture but a possible bid to determine the borders of a Palestinian state delineated by an Israeli barrier.

8216;8216;I have been thinking about unilateral steps that would ease things for Israel and protect its interests, without addressing the question of whether they are also good for the Palestinians,8217;8217; Sharon told the Yedioth Ahronoth daily. 8216;8216;I have not yet brought anyone into my confidence about it,8217;8217; said Sharon.Reuters