WEYMOUTH: Many Israelis are convinced that Palestinians do not accept Israel as a Jewish state. Would Israel retain its Jewish character in your vision of peace?

ABBAS: We have accepted Israel since 1988, when we said openly that we recognize U.N. Resolutions 242 and 338, and the right of the states in the region to live in peace and security.

Do you accept as written the so-called Roadmap to a Palestinian state ?

We accepted the Roadmap in letter and spirit. And we didn’t ask for any amendments.

How is your relationship with Israeli Prime Minister Ariel Sharon? Do you trust him?

Lately, I met with him four times about the implementation of the Roadmap. I am waiting to see if he will deliver or not.

Does that mean freezing settlements and dismantling settlers’ outposts, [erected since March 2001] as specified in the Roadmap?

Not this only, but all the items stipulated in the Roadmap–freeing the prisoners and ending the occupation.

But the issue of prisoners is not in the Roadmap.

It is in the Roadmap. It is in the Tenet [work plan].

All the prisoners should be released?

All prisoners–to put an end to the conflict and to open a new era for both peoples.

Many Israelis have been killed in the last two years. Why should Israel release all the prisoners–some of whom carried out these killings?

The Israelis also killed Palestinians. So both sides killed each other. We must ask the people to forget about the past and to live for the future.

Don’t you have to do something about the terrorists on your side of the line?

We are already doing something… especially in Gaza. We control the territory there.

What about the West Bank?

It’s still under occupation and therefore not our responsibility.

People say that you have only 30 percent of the security forces under your control and that Arafat controls the rest. Is that accurate?

We are working to unify the security apparatuses. We have no problem with other apparatuses that are not under our control.

Haven’t you had two power-sharing agreements with Arafat that failed?

No, they didn’t fail, but there are some hurdles from time to time. We try to work and overcome them.

Can you succeed with the Roadmap if Arafat stays?

Yes, and with his help, I can succeed.

Does he have to approve the actions that you take?

All the actions, all the actions. He is the leader of the Palestinian people.

People are hoping you can be an independent actor.

No, I cannot be independent. I am a part of the [Palestinian] Authority.

Israel is building a “security” wall. Isn’t this an issue for you?

It’s a separating wall. It is built on our territories. It will create a de facto border. It is an uncivilized wall. I hope the Israelis will remove it… The wall is a kind of settlement.

What are your red lines–the things you will not ultimately give up?

We want our independent state. We want Israel to withdraw from the territory it has occupied since 1967. We want East Jerusalem to be our capital. We want the Israelis to remove all their settlements, and we ask to find a just solution for the refugees.

Are you saying that you want the right of return [to Israel] for Palestinian refugees?

I said we should find a just and agreed-upon solution. We are not asking that 4.5 million return, but at least let them choose.

Oh, you mean compensation?

U.N. Resolution 194 says either return or compensation.

What’s your impression of President Bush?

He is direct, to the point. He told us that he will stick to his vision about a Palestinian independent state and Israeli withdrawal to the ‘67 borders, and I believe that he means what he says.

In the end, isn’t Hamas a threat to you?

I believe that Hamas now is intending to be a part of our society.

Does that mean you think you can turn Hamas and Islamic Jihad into democratic citizens?

Why not? We hope we will succeed. If so, why should we go to civil war or confrontation with these people?

Don’t they say that they’re dedicated to the extinction of the Jewish state?

[They can] keep their slogans. I believe that if [Israel can be confined] within the ‘67 borders, [Hamas] will live with it and will accept it. It’s only 22 percent of the historical Palestine.

It’s said the Palestinians never miss an opportunity to “miss an opportunity.” Are you going to miss this one?

We are not going to miss this opportunity. We are going to grasp this opportunity.