JERUSALEM, Jan 27 (AFP) - Israeli Prime Minister Ariel Sharon said Thursday that an "historic breakthrough" was possible with the Palestinians following truce efforts by their new leader Mahmud Abbas in recent days.
"I think that an historic breakthrough is possible in our relations with the Palestinians. I want to underline that we are detecting encouraging signs but these things must still be verified," he told a meeting of an Israeli business association in Jerusalem.
"There have been positive developments in the approach of the Palestinian Authority to the struggle against violence and terrorism and in its promotion of the political process," said Sharon.
"I think the breakthrough could lead us to calm and security and perhaps, in the future, to the peace that we want and to which we have a right.
"We are ready to go further, we are ready to make many concessions but we will not make the slightest concession in the field of Israel's security and that of its nationals."
01/27/2005 19:20 GMT - AFP