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6/26/2002 (20:46) |
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Jun. 27, 2002
MK Elon lobbies US legislators for voluntary transfer plan
By MELISSA RADLER
NEW YORK Armed with a glossy, eight-page peace initiative, Moledet leader Benny Elon is meeting with Jewish organizations, Senators, and Congressmen this week, seeking support for the voluntary transfer of Palestinians to the East bank of the Jordan River.
The 'Elon Peace Initiative' is a seven-part plan which calls for the nullification of the Oslo Accords, resettlement of Palestinian refugees in their countries of residence with the help of an international fund, and the establishment of a Jordanian-Palestinian state with Amman as its capital.
Under the plan, Palestinians in the West Bank and Gaza would receive Jordanian-Palestinian citizenship and could opt to remain in their homes. Those who violate the terms of the plan 'will be expelled to their state on the other side of the Jordan River,' according to the proposal.
Presented to two Senators and four members of Congress following President George W. Bush's call on Monday for new Palestinian leadership as a precursor to a 'provisional' state in the West Bank and the Gaza Strip, Elon said he has received quiet support from several US legislators, though he declined to name them.
'I can say one thing: Dick Armey is not alone,' said Elon, referring to the House Majority leader whose public support for transfer during an interview on MSNBC caused a furor.
Armey, a Texas Republican, later issued a clarification saying that, 'individuals who support terrorist acts may properly be exiled from the area.'
While Elon rejected Bush's call for a Palestinian state, he praised his strong support of Israel.
'I can't expect him to be more Catholic than the Pope, and when Ariel Sharon gives him a green light for a state between the Jordan River and the Mediterranean, he makes it an American vision.
'I don't know another president that was so with us against the terrorists, and I don't know another president that pushed so much for a Palestinian state,'said Elon.
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