Israel pull-out 'aimed at stalling peace'

THE real objective of Ariel Sharon's offer to withdraw from the Gaza Strip and parts of the West Bank is to freeze Palestinian statehood indefinitely, with the blessing of the US, a senior aide to the Israeli Prime Minister said yesterday.

The adviser, Dov Weisglass, also said Israel is avoiding negotiations with the Palestinians because it does not want to be forced into concessions on issues such as the future of Jerusalem and the fate of millions of Palestinian refugees.

The unusually frank comments, published in the Haaretz newspaper, contradicted the Israeli government's assurances that it remains committed to the US-backed "road map" and its vision of Palestinian statehood, and that Israelis are ready to resume peace negotiations once there is a change in Palestinian leadership.