PA to Sharon: renew peace talks

[United Press International]

GAZA, May 3 (UPI) -- A top aide to Palestinian leader Yasser
Arafat Sunday called upon Israel to get back to the negotiating
table to resume peace talks with the Palestinians.
Nabil Abu Rudeineh's remarks came after Israeli Prime
Minister Ariel Sharon failed to win the backing of his Likud Party
in a referendum on his unilateral plan to disengage from Gaza.
Abu Rudeineh called upon Sharon to renew the peace process
and implement the internationally backed roadmap for peace in the
Middle East.
Exit polls on Israeli television said the Likud Party voted
against Sharon's plan for unilateral disengagement from the
Palestinians.
The polls on Channel 2 showed 56 percent against the plan,
as opposed to 44 percent in favor. Channel 10 had 58 percent opposed
versus 42 percent in favor.
Palestinian officials voiced optimism that the United States
would change its stand and call for both parties to convene and
renew the peace talks.