ROAD MAP: SHARON ANALYSIS

Barbara Plettová z Jeruzaléma: Ariel Sharon presented his acceptance of the road map in terms of pragmatic self-interest rather than as a step towards peace. He told his cabinet that approving the US-backed plan would safeguard Israel's strategic relationship with Washington and it would help the country's struggling economy because, he said, diplomatic progress would lead to economic benefits. This largely negative endorsement faced strong opposition from the far right. But Mr Sharon is really swimming with the tide as polls show that a solid Israeli majority supports the road map. There is debate in Israel though about what the old warrior is really up to. Some analysts believe his new moves are only tactical, concealing old policies of expanding Jewish settlements in the occupied territories. Others believe he does want to achieve a settlement of the conflict in this his final term as prime minister. Ariel Sharon's view of the road map is ambiguous enough to allow for both readings. But where the road map is vague about the entity, Mr Sharon is clear. He said it would cover no more than fifty percent of the West Bank and have no control of its borders. That would allow him to keep most of the settlements in place - consistent with his long-held position that Israel needs to control at least half of the West Bank for its security interests. VOCABULARY"the road map" - "cestovní mapa" pragmatic self-interest - pragmatický vlastní zájem negative endorsement - negativní podpora swimming with the tide - plavat s proudem polls - průzkumy veřejného mínění to conceal - zastírat ambiguous - dvojznačný vague - vágní, nejasný, mlhavý