Sharon arrives in Washington for talks

Israeli Prime Minister Ariel Sharon arrived for talks with US President George W

Israeli Prime Minister Ariel Sharon arrived for talks with US President George W. Bush in Washington last night and other US officials on ways to end violence between Israel and the Palestinians.

The plane carrying the Israeli leader touched down at Andrews Air Force Base outside the US capital at 21:25 (Irish Time), an Air Force official said.

Mr Sharon arrived in Washington armed with a 100-page intelligence file that aims to prove Arafat's Palestinian Authority both financed and oversaw the execution of a wave of suicide strikes that sparked Israel's West Bank offensive last month.

The documents purport to show Arafat's signature on payments to militants who organized suicide attacks and arranged arms purchase payments.

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They also allege Arafat routinely diverts European and US aid to finance these operations.

"All sides should come to the conclusion, the Americans, the Israeli and the Europeans, that Arafat can no longer be part of the peace process," said Israeli minister without portfolio Mr Danny Naveh, who compiled the study from documents reportedly seized during the army's West Bank campaign.

AFP