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US Secretary of State Condoleezza Rice has urged Israel to do everything possible to support Palestinian National Authority Chairman Mahmoud Abbas, the Jerusalem Post reported Monday.
Rice on Sunday called on Israeli leaders to show the Palestinians that non-violence produces results. "Don't undermine him," she warned in a reference to Abbas.
Rice also urged Israel to refrain from taking steps that would make it more difficult for Abbas to assert his authority, the report said.
In response, Israeli Prime Minister Ariel Sharon said Israel would give Abbas a chance, but everything depended on progress on security.
Israel will not be satisfied with only a ceasefire, Sharon said, insisting that Abbas take actions against terrorist infrastructure and dismantle terrorist organizations.
A ceasefire could be an interim step, but it cannot be the final destination, Sharon added.
Rice said progress in the diplomatic process would depend on serious Palestinian actions against terror and Israel must do its part as well.
Rice arrived in Israel Sunday afternoon as part of her maiden European and Mideast tour.
She met with Israeli Foreign Minister Silvan Shalom before talks with Israeli President Moshe Katsav, and will hold meetings with Deputy Prime Minister Shimon Peres and Defense Minister Shaul Mofaz Monday morning before her discussions with Palestinian leaders in the West Bank city of Ramallah.
(Xinhua News Agency February 7, 2005)
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