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IN ISRAEL, REP. ENGEL CONFIDENT SHARON'S POLICIES WILL CONTINUE; January 10, 2006

Wednesday January 11, 2006

In Israel, Rep. Engel confident Sharon's policies will continue

Associated Press; January 10, 2006

WASHINGTON (AP) _ A New York congressman visiting Israel said Tuesday that the stroke suffered by Prime Minister Ariel Sharon may make him a kind of "martyr" for the peace process, rather than stall talks.

Democratic congressmen Eliot Engel and Gary Ackerman were part of a congressional delegation that met with acting Prime Minister Ehud Olmert on Tuesday.

Engel, whose district includes parts of the Bronx and Westchester and Rockland counties, said he thought Sharon's illness would only boost the stricken leader's efforts.

Before the stroke, Sharon had been expected to handily win re-election in March 28 parliamentary balloting, then use his third term to try to draw Israel's final borders by pulling out of large parts of the West Bank and completing a separation barrier with the Palestinians.

"I think incapacitated people are sometimes bigger than life. Yet if he comes back, I think people who have been holding their breath will support him," Engel said in a telephone interview. "I think if he's not able to, those who are carrying on his policies will be supported."

He added, "Sharon seems to be a martyr one way or another."

The congressman also met with administrators at the hospital where Sharon is being treated.

Doctors said Tuesday that Sharon, 77, showed slight signs of improvement, and his life was not in immediate danger.

Despite Sharon's reported movements, doctors doubt he will recover enough to resume his duties because the bleeding in his brain was extensive.

Engel said he believed Sharon's deputy Olmert would lead his new Kadima party successfully in the March elections if Sharon remains incapacitated.

"I've known Ehud for 25 years," said Engel, adding that in their meeting, Olmert "stressed the fact that regardless of what happens, the peace process will go on and negotiations will go on."

Engel said neither he nor the U.S. should support any particular party in the elections.

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