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No Palestinian state for now

Jerusalem June 16. The Israeli Prime Minister, Ariel Sharon, today ruled out the declaration or establishment of a Palestinian state in the near future, Israeli public radio reported.

Mr. Sharon was speaking during a weekly cabinet meeting, the radio said. The U.S. President, George W. Bush, is meeting with his top advisors this weekend to fashion a new policy for West Asia aimed at halting nearly 21 months of bloodshed.

On June 13, the White House spokesman, Ari Fleischer, acknowledged Mr. Bush was contemplating the declaration of a provisional Palestinian state, after rejecting similar comments made by the U.S. Secretary of State, Colin Powell, a day earlier. Mr. Bush could unveil his new West Asia plan as soon as tomorrow.

Meanwhile, public radio said Mr. Sharon also touched on plans for a West Asia peace conference this summer. — AFP

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