Sharon ready to negotiate with a new Palestinian leadership, refuses Arafat's burial in Jerusalem

The Israeli prime minister Ariel Sharon expressed readiness to negotiate with a new Palestinian leadership within the framework of the Roadmap but under the condition that this leadership is to be serious and responsible, as he alleged.

The Israeli radio quoted Sharon as saying in a meeting for the Israeli cabinet in Jerusalem that he is not pessimistic over achieving such negotiations. These statements came after the Palestinian President Yasser Arafat left Ramullah to Paris to receive medical treatment in "Percy hospital" known for treating blood and cancer diseases in Klamar quarters.

On Arafat's desire to be buried in Jerusalem after death, Sharon stressed that he will oppose this as long as he is in authority. Sharon said during the meeting addressing the minister of justice Youssef Lapid that "as long as I am in the authority and I am not intending to leave it, Arafat will not be buried in Jerusalem." On the other hand, the French foreign minister Michael Barnier expressed his satisfaction over the commitment made by Israel to permitting Arafat to return back to the occupied territories after the end of his medical treatment period in Paris. Barnier also expressed hope that Israel will lift the siege imposed on the Palestinian President since three years.