OP.
missioning illegal weapons.
The Americans also are exerting heavy,
and apparently successful, pressure on
European and Arab countries, especially
Saudi Arabia, to clamp down on fund-
ing for Hamas as part of the struggle to
strengthen the Palestinian Authority and
weaken the fundamentalists.
But what if the Palestinian
Authority is unable to impose its
authority on all factions, and the
shooting continues? On June 30, the
day after the cease-fire was declared,
gunmen from Abbas' own Fatah
movement shot and killed a Bulgarian
worker in the West Bank whom they
mistook for an Israeli.
To Israel, Rice made very clear that
the United States expects it to act with
restraint and give the Palestinian
Authority time to organize its forces.
In talks with Israeli Prime Minister
Ariel Sharon and his Cabinet, Rice
acknowledged Israel's right to defend
its citizens and act against "ticking
time bombs," such as suicide bombers
on their way to attack — if the
Palestinians, after being given the rele-
vant information, fail to stop them.
But, she said, Israel should "think
twice" before retaliating against terror-
ist acts or plans, taking into account
the effects its actions could have on the
wider peace process. Israel, Rice said,
should be careful not to do anything
that weakens Abbas and the Palestinian
Authority. Major Israeli strikes in
Palestinian areas will undermine the
PA.'s credibility with the Palestinian
public, the Americans believe.
Rice also urged Sharon to release as
many Palestinian prisoners as possible to
boost Abbas' standing and show the
Palestinian street what can be gained by
sticking to the road map. Israel is holding
around 3,000 Palestinian detainees, and
Sharon is ready to free several hundred —
but not those who have killed Israelis or
directly ordered others to do so.
Sharon has asked the Shin Bet secu-
rity service to prepare a list of prison-
ers whose release "would not harm
Israel's security."
Settlements
If the Palestinians adhere to the cease-
fire, the United States also can be
expected to pressure Israel to continue
dismantling illegal outposts, but not
bona fide Jewish settlements.
The first phase of the road map refers
only to outposts set up since March
2001. Calls for the evacuation of settle-
ments proper will come only in the sec-
ond phase, which calls for the establish-
ATE Energy Senior Days
at Comerica Park
Seniors 60 years and older Purchase a $25
outfield box seat for $12 including your
choice of a hot dog
or pizza slice and a small Pepsi
For the following Tigers home games
Thursday, July 10 vs. Chicago White S+
Thursday, August 7 vs. Oakland
Thursday, September 4 vs. Cleveland
All games start at 'I :05 pm (gates open at 'I I :30 em)
Tickets must be purchased at the Comerica Park Box Office on Witherell Street.
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WHAT'S NEXT? on page 16
'03 Tigers Baseball
we come to ,
7/ 4
2003
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