Sharon visits Washington this month to win support for the separation plan

The Israeli foreign minister Silvan Shalom said yesterday the Israeli prime minister Ariel Sharon will visit Washington this month in an attempt to get the consent of the US on his plan aiming at removing most of the settlements in Gaza.

In a press conference in Gaza Shalom said " It is not yet a complete plan.. The prime minister wants to complete it before his meeting with the US President before the end of March in Washington." He said he ( Sharon) will not do that unless they Americans approve it first."

A high ranking Israeli source that did not want to be identified said that Sharon is studying four options concerning the likely withdrawal which is expected to be unilateral because he believes he does not have a Palestinian negotiating partner. These options are quitting certain settlements in Gaza, or evacuating all settlements but keeping a military presence on a border strip with Egypt; or keeping a military presence in Gaza or removing all settlements and not keeping any civilian or military presence in Gaza as a whole.

The source said regarding the fourth option " it seems it will be a complete evacuation but it is not approved yet." Sharon had talked openly only on the evacuation of most of the 7500 Israeli settlers living in pockets in Gaza as it is difficult to defend them.

Shalom, however, is due to meet today with the British prime minister Tony Blair and the foreign office secretary Jack Straw. Shalom said he will visit Egypt next week and Washington within two weeks. He added that Israel is still committed to the " roadmap," backed by the US in order to establish peace but will take unilateral measures including the controversial separation wall in the west bank with the absence of talks with the Palestinians.