Sharon Counting on Bush Assurances on Retaining Jewish Towns Near Jerusalem

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Israeli Minister Says Sharon Counting on Bush Assurances on Retaining Jewish Towns Near Jerusalem

WASHINGTON (AP) - Israeli Prime Minister Ariel Sharon is counting on President Bush to keep his commitment that Israel can retain several large Jewish towns near Jerusalem as part of a peace accord with the Palestinians, Deputy Prime Minister Ehud Olmert said Monday.

In fact, "we do not need any assurances because it is crystal clear and it is simple," Olmert said in a telephone interview with American reporters. "When President Bush makes one commitment, it is enough."

And yet, Olmert said, in the course of talks the two leaders will have on Bush's farm in Texas next week, "maybe it will be repeated" by Bush.

On a Sharon visit to Washington a year ago Bush voiced his support for Israel retaining Maale Adumim and a few other Jewish population centers near Jerusalem in any peace accord with the Palestinians.

http://ap.tbo.com/ap/breaking/MGBLOQEZ47E.html