Quartet calls for full Israeli withdrawal from Gaza Strip

[Gimel]

The quartet of Middle East mediators called on Tuesday for a full Israeli withdrawal from Gaza and said the plan presented a "rare moment of opportunity" despite its rejection by Prime Minister Ariel Sharon's Likud Party on Sunday.

The United States, United Nations, Russian and European officials also said most sensitive issues must be negotiated by the two sides, a statement apparently aimed at blunting Palestinian criticism of U.S. President George W. Bush's assurances that Israel could not be expected to give up all its West Bank settlements or to accept the return of Palestinian refugees.

The Quartet foreign ministers met in an effort to find ways to revive steps to implement the road map, after the Likud rejected Sharon's plan to evacuate settlements in the Gaza Strip and parts of the West Bank.
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Continued Ha'aretz

[aquart]

1. And the trio plays Mozart.

"A rare opportunity" for WHAT? Will Hamas and Hezbollah refrain from murder for territory? Anybody ask them?