ARABS-ISRAEL - Dec. 4 - Sharon Speaks Of Palestinian State.

In a speech to a conference on Israeli security, PM Sharon says US Pres. Bush's plan for Palestinian statehood is "reasonable, pragmatic and practicable", adding: "We have accepted in principle the president's plan and the sequence presented therein". But Sharon declines to adopt the 3-year timetable in the Bush plan, which envisages the creation of a Palestinian state by 2005. He says the Palestinian state will be completely demilitarised, adding: "Israel will continue to control all entries and exits to the Palestinian state, will command its air space, and not allow it to form alliances with Israel's enemies". Sharon also indicates that the proposed state would include little over 40% of the West Bank, although he guarantees there would be contiguity between areas of Palestinian control. On Dec. 5, PA cabinet minister and chief negotiator Saeb Erekat dismissed Sharon's move as an attempt to confuse the Israeli electorate. He said: "It's an appeal to the Israeli centre. He's trying to look as if he's making peace". (Sharon is seeking a second term in general elections to be held on Jan. 28. His main rival, Labour's Amram Mitzna, is campaigning on a platform of an immediate resumption of peace talks and unilateral withdrawal from the Gaza Strip and parts of the West Bank).