Prime Minister Ariel Sharon met, in his Jerusalem office, with British Foreign Secretary Jack Straw and made the following remarks at the start of their meeting:
“We are very pleased to host British Foreign Secretary Jack Straw. I am sure that his visit will lead to the strengthening of bilateral relations and am certain that it is likely to help advance our efforts to achieve a diplomatic settlement ahead of peace in the future.”
British Foreign Minister Straw said: “Mr. Prime Minister, I bring you greetings from British Prime Minister Tony Blair. Thank you for welcoming me this evening. We salute your personal courage and that of your government in searching for a diplomatic solution in order to achieve peace.
I expect that our discussions this evening will center on the plan for disengaging from Gaza and the four settlements in northern Samaria.”