Isreal has objections to US peace plan

ISRAEL will not move forward on a US-backed peace plan until Prime Minister Ariel Sharon lays out his objections in an upcoming meeting with US President George Bush, a senior Israeli official said yesterday.

Palestinian officials accused Israel of stalling and trying to get out of implementing the so-called “road map,” which envisions Palestinian statehood within three years. The Palestinians have accepted the plan, while Israel has 15 objections.

The United States and other international mediators have said the three-stage plan is not open to change, but its implementation can be discussed. However, Israel wants a major change in the plan itself.