Sharon is pleased with Abbas' measures

This may be a good sign: Israeli Prime Minister Ariel Sharon expressed satisfaction in a newspaper interview on Thursday with measures taken by new Palestinian leader Mahmoud Abbas to reduce violence. There's no doubt that Abu Mazen [Abbas] has begun to work," he told the Yedioth Ahronoth daily, adding, "I am very pleased with what I hear about what is going on the Palestinian side and I very much want to work with him to make progress." Sharon said that he was keen to help Abbas but gave few other details. "I intend to promote the chances of reaching an arrangement with the Palestinians," said the Israeli leader. "I intend to accommodate Abu Mazen [Abbas] and at the same time to keep my eyes open and to examine the situation on their side." Sharon's top advisor Dov Weisglass met on Wednesday with Palestinian negotiations minister Saeb Erakat to discuss the prospects of a summit between the Israeli and Palestinian leaders. Baby steps everyone. Baby steps. Hopefully one day we will get back on the road to peace in the middle-east! I ,for one, am keeping my fingers crossed.