Middle East - AP

Palestinian Minister to Meet With Powell

Date: Wed Apr 7, 4:48 AM ET

JERUSALEM - The Palestinian foreign minister said Wednesday that he will meet with Secretary of State Colin Powell (news - web sites) and other top U.S. officials in Washington on April 21 to discuss Israel's unilateral withdrawal from the Gaza Strip (news - web sites).

The foreign minister, Nabil Shaath, will be in Washington a week after Israeli Prime Minister Ariel Sharpon discusses the withdrawal plan with President Bush (news - web sites).

"This visit will be very important because we will be able to express our point of view regarding the various issues that are being discussed now, and it will come after Sharon's visit to Washington," Shaath said.

Shaath is to stay in Washington for several days and will also hold talks with U.S. National Security Adviser Condoleezza Rice (news - web sites).

Last month, Palestinian Finance Minister Salam Fayyad met with top U.S. officials. Bush administration officials refuse to meet with Palestinian leader Yasser Arafat (news - web sites).

Sharon has said he expects to withdraw from Gaza in the coming year, as part of his unilateral "disengagement" from the Palestinians. Sharon also said he would evacuate four small West Bank settlements and impose a boundary on the Palestinians.

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