"Israeli Prime Minister Ariel Sharon said he was very satisfied with efforts by Palestinian President Mahmoud Abbas to restore calm and pledged in an interview published on Thursday to pursue peace with him.

'There is no doubt that Abu Mazen (Abbas) has begun to work,' Sharon told the Yedioth Ahronoth daily.

'I am very satisfied with what I hear is happening on the Palestinian side, and I have a serious interest in advancing the process with him.'

Abbas, speaking after talks with U.S. envoy William Burns, urged Israel to agree quickly to a cease-fire with Palestinian militants and said he was looking forward to holding a still unscheduled summit with Sharon."
Jan. 27, 2005 - Reuters