Sharon to become foreign minister, Shaath says Israel is undermining US efforts

It is expected that before withdrawing from 10% of the West Bank, Israeli Prime Minister Benjamin Netanyahu will appoint Ariel Sharon as Israeli foreign minister.

Israeli sources said that Netanyahu is about to take a decision to appoint Sharon as the foreign minister, stating that the aim of this is to pacify the settlers and right-wing extremists who were greatly worried over the possibility of ratifying an agreement with the Palestinians concerning a partial withdrawal from the West Bank.

Sharon considers a withdrawal of 13% sufficient to threaten Israel's security. In the case of his appointment, Sharon will assume the post of foreign minister with "private conditions."

Meanwhile, Palestinian Minister of International Cooperation Nabil Shaath yesterday in press statements accused Israeli Prime Minister Benjamin Netanyahu's government of attempting to undermine US efforts to forward the peace process, which includes a trilateral summit among Palestinian Prime Minister Yasser Arafat, US President Bill Clinton and the Israeli prime minister.

These statements came hours before the beginning of the tour by US Secretary of State Madeleine Albright which started today to work on reaching a Palestinian - Israeli agreement concerning the "10 + 3" percent redeployment approved by the Arafat.

The plan provides for Israeli troop withdrawal from 10% of the West Bank, with an additional 3% set aside as a nature reserve

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