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Israeli Prime Minister Ariel Sharon and Palestinian leader Mahmoud Abbas launched a groundbreaking peace plan Wednesday with President Bush’s encouragement, offering once-unthinkable pledges in hopes of ending decades of Mideast bloodshed.

In statements choreographed by the United States, Sharon promised to immediately begin dismantling unauthorized Jewish outposts on the West Bank, while Abbas–speaking in Arabic–explicitly asserted that the “armed intifada must end,” referring to the Palestinians’ 32-month uprising against Israel.

“Our goal is clear and we will implement it firmly and without compromise: a complete end to violence and terrorism,” Abbas said.

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