Former Israeli security chief Ami Ayalon, visiting Washington this week, urged the Bush administration to play objective, impartial role in the Middle East peace process.

"Americans should not impose a solution, but this administration will finally have to make it clear what its vision for a two-state solution is," said Ayalon, who was director of the Shin Bet domestic security service from 1996 to 2000. "Just saying ’a two-state solution’ is too ambiguous. The vision has to spell out the details on final status issues such as Palestinian refugees, borders and Jerusalem."

Ayalon’s visit coincided with that of Israeli Prime Minister Ariel Sharon.

Sharon’s meeting with President Bush this week at his ranch in Crawford, Tex., reflected the principal differences in the views of the leaders. Despite all expressions of friendship and optimistic projections, the meeting showed that Sharon will not acquiesce to Bush.

Thus, the recent events one more time proved Ayalon’s words to be right: any solution in the region must not depend on US pressure on Israel or Palestine but rather on the regional leaders themselves.

At the moment, a new obstacle appears in connection with the Gaza disengagement plan. Israeli political circles are still disputing the withdrawal from Gaza while US on behalf of the rest of the world is already arguing for the next withdrawal.

No wonder, the press highlighted the meeting marking that "Bush is from Mars, Sharon is from Venus"