Prometheus 6   

Sharon Tells Bush Israel Won't Halt Its Fence Project
By RICHARD W. STEVENSON

WASHINGTON, July 29 — Prime Minister Ariel Sharon of Israel today rebuffed pressure from President Bush to halt construction of a security fence on the West Bank and called on Mr. Bush to persuade Palestinian leaders to do more to dismantle terrorist organizations.

After meeting with Mr. Sharon at the White House, Mr. Bush said his commitment to Israel's security was "unshakable." Last week, the president called the fence a "problem" that could undermine efforts to build confidence between the sides; today he referred to it as a "sensitive issue" that he would continue to discuss with Mr. Sharon.

But the president also suggested that Israel do more to help the Palestinian people and urged Mr. Sharon to show restraint as the two sides each weigh difficult steps in advancing the latest peace plan.

The meeting was the eighth between the leaders at the White House, and they referred to each other by their first names, reflecting Mr. Bush's deepening involvement as a peace broker.

But behind the cordial tones, both sent clear messages. Mr. Sharon signaled that he was unwilling to make painful compromises without more concrete progress by the new Palestinian prime minister, Mahmoud Abbas, in cracking down on terrorism. For his part, Mr. Bush indicated that his support for Israel required Mr. Sharon to show patience and flexibility.