June 23, 1999
Web posted at: 8:25 p.m. EDT (0025 GMT)

In this story: Barak seeking broad coalition Sharon may fill finance post Both are former generals RELATED STORIES, SITES

JERUSALEM (CNN) -- Hard-line Likud party leader Ariel Sharon is poised to join the new government of moderate Prime Minister-elect Ehud Barak -- an odd-couple political coupling that is sending shock waves through the Palestinian community.

"You can kiss the peace process good-bye if Sharon is in the government," said Saeb Erakat, the chief Palestinian negotiator.

Over the last two days, Barak, who is still trying to cobble together a coalition government, has been meeting with Sharon, a controversial former general who took over as Likud leader after the resignation of defeated Prime Minister Benjamin Netanyahu.

Sharon has in the past supported the construction of Jewish settlements on land claimed by Palestinians, an issue that has slowed the peace process.

Barak seeking broad coalition

But Barak has been trying to assure his more dovish supporters that his discussions with Sharon do not mean that he will change his moderate peace policies. Rather, he is simply trying to build the broadest coalition possible -- something he vowed to do after winning the post of prime minister in the May 17 election.

"Barak wants the Likud, but the intention is to stick within the coalition framework that has already been agreed upon with the other partners in the coalition," said Barak spokesman David Ziso.

Sharon may fill finance post

Sharon is noted for supporting the construction of Jewish settlements on land claimed by Palestinians

The Maariv newspaper reported that Sharon would likely be named finance minister and also be part of a team of ministers that would steer peace negotiations.

However, it is not clear if Sharon will be able to persuade some of the more hawkish Likud legislators to follow him into a coalition with Barak. Likud holds 19 seats in the parliament, or Knesset.

Barak, whose One Israel electoral coalition won only 26 of 120 seats in the Knesset in the election, has been holding discussions with other parties across the political spectrum, trying to build a coalition with at least 61 votes.

Barak turned to Likud after discussions with the Shaas religious party broke down, reportedly because its asking price for joining the government was seen as two high.

Both are former generals

Some observers in Israel believe Barak's flirtation with Sharon may merely be a ploy to force Shaas to lower its asking price for joining the coalition. Other analysts point out that Sharon and Barak are both former generals with much in common.

"They both believe the other has a very serious grasp of Israel's problems, of what's needed to make the Middle East a safer place for Israel," says Leslie Susser, an Israeli political analyst.

Barak has until July 9 to form a government. But his negotiators say they believe they can complete the task by the end of the week.

Should Likud decide to join, the coalition would consist of nine parties, ranging from the dovish Meretz party to the National Religious Party, which strongly supports Israeli settlements.

Jerusalem Bureau Chief Walter Rodgers and The Associated Press contributed to this report.

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