Monday, April 16, 2001

**GOVERNMENT COMMUNIQUE

**PM Sharon meets with Jordanian Foreign Minister

GOVERNMENT COMMUNIQUE

1) The Government of Israel announces an attack on a Syrian army
target in Lebanon.

2) Israel has carried out in its entirety United Nations Security
Council Resolution 425, and it is deployed along the border as
determined by the UN. Israel, nevertheless, has been subjected to
repeated terrorist attacks along its northern border. In the
latest attack on Saturday an IDF soldier was killed. This is the
eighth terrorist attack along the northern border since the
withdrawal from Lebanon. In these incidents three IDF soldiers
were killed and three others were kidnapped.

3) The Government of Israel has determined that the Hizbullah
terrorist activities are carried out with the knowledge and under
the auspices of Syria.

4) Until now Israel has demonstrated great restraint in the face
of these attacks. However, despite the appeal to Syria to exert
its influence on Lebanon, Syria - without whom this organization
cannot operate from Lebanon and whose army is situated in Lebanon
- has not lifted a finger.

5) Israel wishes to maintain neighborly relations with its
neighbor - Lebanon. Israel calls upon the Government of Lebanon
to deploy its army along the border, and calls upon Syria and
Lebanon to respect and carry out UN Security Council Resolution
425.
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PM Sharon meets with Jordanian Foreign Minister

Prime Minister Ariel Sharon held a working meeting today with the
Jordanian Foreign Minister, Mr. Abed el-Ilah Khatib.

The Prime Minister stressed the importance of Jordan as a
stabilizing force in the region and noted the importance of the
relations between the two countries. In addition, the Prime
Minister sent his greetings to King Abdullah.

The Jordanian Foreign Minister emphasized he hopes that the
conditions will be created for a resumption of the negotiations
with the Palestinians. The Prime Minister once again reiterated
his commitment to peace and the restoration of security to the
citizens of Israel, and that Israel would honor any agreement
that was signed and ratified by the Knesset and that is totally
implemented by both sides. In any event, said the Prime Minister:
"Our Government will not negotiate during violence and terror.
The responsibility for bringing about a cessation of the violence
and terror rests with the Palestinian Authority. After the terror
is halted Israel will be pleased to commence negotiations for a
diplomatic settlement between it and the Palestinians".