Sharon rejects Abdullah peace plan

OCCUPIED JERUSALEM, 18 April — Israeli Prime Minister Ariel Sharon has categorically rejected the Saudi-initiated Middle East peace plan, Israeli TV and radio said. Sharon rejected the peace proposal because it contains “unacceptable clauses” such as the withdrawal to the pre-1967 positions and the acceptance of UN Resolution 194 on the return of refugees, the reports said. Asked why he agreed initially to the peace initiative, Sharon said that was because it contained ideas such as the establishment of peace and normal relations between Israel and Arab countries. He also said he regretted promising US President George W. Bush that Arafat would not be physically harmed.