Sharon does not see Arafat as the peace partner harassed by radical elements he cannot control.

It may also help Israel remind the Palestinians that they are not the only peace partner around.

Israel's peace partners in the Arab world have made no secret of their preference for him.

He says the present Palestinian leadership has proved it is no peace partner.

"Russia will not have any authority over the other peace partners," the official said.

There is nothing in my file that says, 'He was a peace partner.'

It is not only Israelis who say they have no peace partner.

In response, I say Israel's peace partner is, and always has been, the Palestinian people.

Both his background and his agenda disqualify him as a peace partner with Israel.

Unilateral, because he believed (as I do) that there was and is no viable Palestinian peace partner.