December 10, 2003	Wednesday	Shawwal 15, 1424

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JERUSALEM, Dec 9: Israeli Prime Minister Ariel Sharon warned on Tuesday he would not wait for the international “roadmap” peace plan to collapse to take “unilateral steps” including the evacuation of isolated Jewish settlements.

“We will not wait, and we may take unilateral measures, including the evacuation of communities for the sake of Israel’s security,” Sharon said during a meeting of the parliamentary committee on defence and foreign affairs.

Under pressure from the international community to be seen as taking the initiative as alternative peace moves gained steam, Sharon started talking of “unilateral steps” last month.

Observers said the steps are likely to include the evacuation of isolated settlements which are deemed hard to defend.— AFP