WASHINGTON - Palestinian leader Mahmud Abbas said after key talks with US President George W. Bush here Thursday that his administration was ready to coordinate with Israel over the Israeli withdrawal from the Gaza Strip.
"We assured the president of the Palestinian Authority's readiness to coordinate with Israel to ensure the success of its withdrawal from the Gaza Strip and areas in the northern West Bank, as well as its ability to assume its responsibilities upon Israel's evacuation," Abbas told a press conference.
"We see this as part of the process of ending the occupation," he added. "As such this withdrawal should not be at the expense of the West Bank."
05/26/2005 15:44 GMT