AFP -- Sharon backtracks on term "occupation"...

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also to add some context to sharon's use of the term "occupation" ...

it's being said that the u.s. pressured him to do it, going so far as to threaten with a list of sanctions to be imposed on israel.

it's also being said that bush is counting on a palestinian state by 2003, and believes it's going to get him re-elected. or at least distract from the mess in iraq.

talk is that sharon was promised that the u.s. would put pressure on iran and remove the potential threat there.

the word "occupation" is so overused that it's meaning has changed. even bush supporters defending the war with iraq use the term "occupation". the west bank was considered "conquered" territory, or "disputed" land before the term "occupation" came into vogue during the clinton era.

also - don't be shocked if sharon goes the way of rabin and is assasinated for this speech. there are many who view rabin's concessions (that were supposed to be temporary, and a trial run) and irreversable and damaging because the oslo peace talks led to worse violence - not peace.