ARABS-ISRAEL - Aug. 8 - Sharon Blasts PA As Security Talks Break Up.

In a televised speech at Israel's National Security Institute, PM Sharon says: "Between us and the goal [of peace] stands the gang of murder, terror and corruption of the Palestinian Authority. The only way to peace demands this gang of murder be uprooted from its political positions". (Sharon's comments come as talks on easing Israel's military grip on the Gaza Strip and parts of the West Bank broke up hours earlier. Arafat aide Nabil Aburdeineh told The Associated Press that Israel imposed new conditions that were "impossible to accept or even to implement". He said Israel did not mention withdrawing from Bethlehem, just Gaza. The break-up of security talks was quickly followed by new violence. A 17-year-old Palestinian was killed while riding his bicycle as the Army fired to disperse stone-throwers in the northern Gaza town of Beit Lahiya. Three other Palestinians were injured in the town. The Army said nine suspected militants were arrested. Israeli troops also demolished the West Bank family homes of four people suspected of involvement in suicide bombings). Sharon repeats calls for reforms of the PA security forces and for transparent accounting of the Authority's use of funds from donor nations before a peace deal can be achieved. (Israeli political commentators said Sharon's speech was meant to bolster his popularity - see Israel).