ARABS-ISRAEL - June 9 - Sharon In Washington.

PM Sharon arrives in Washington for talks with US Pres. Bush. They meet on June 10 (in their 6th round of talks at the White House), and Bush endorses Sharon's approach towards reforming the PA. Speaking in the Oval Office, Bush brushes aside criticism of recent Israeli incursions into the West Bank, choosing instead to condemn Palestinian terrorists. Sitting alongside Sharon, Bush tells reporters: "Israel has a right to defend herself. And at the same time, as Israel does so, the prime minister is willing to discuss the conditions necessary to achieve what we want, which is a secure region and a hopeful region". (Bush's support for the Israeli position comes in sharp contrast to his rejection of Egyptian Pres. Mubarak's proposal to outline a timetable for the creation of a Palestinian state - see Arab-US Relations). Sharon says: "Israel is a peace-seeking country. We believe in peace. We are committed to peace". Speaking of his desire for peace, Sharon says: "We must have a partner for negotiations. At the present time, we don't see yet a partner". Bush side-steps questions about the possible expulsion of Arafat from the region, insisting that Palestinian political reforms are more important than Arafat's future.

He says: "I don't think Mr. Arafat's the issue. I think the issue is the Palestinian people... What we've got to do is work to put institutions in place which will allow for a government to develop, which will bring confidence not only to the Israelis, but the Palestinians". Speaking of Arafat, Bush says: "I am disappointed that he has not led in such a way that the Palestinian people have hope and confidence". He says Arafat has missed the bus of history by failing to seize the moment and showing he is serious about peace in the Middle East. Bush also plays down expectations of a ministerial conference proposed by US State Secretary Colin Powell to be held this summer. He says "the conditions necessary to establish a peace" are not yet in place in the region. Shortly before the Sharon-Bush meeting, White House spokesman Ari Fleischer said Washington had no specific objections to the Israeli incursion in Ramallah (see below). Fleischer said: "Our understanding is that the Israeli operation is limited in duration and is to go after a specific target, terrorists. Given that understanding, the United States has said before that Israel has a right to defend itself, but the United States will be closely monitoring what Israel is doing and the United States again reminds Israel about the importance of remembering the repercussions of any action Israel takes today impacting the broader goals of achieving peace tomorrow".