Sharon accepts Paris invite

JERUSALEM, June 15 (AFP) – Israeli Prime Minister Ariel Sharon has accepted in principle an invitation from President Jacques Chirac to visit France but will not be able to go in the immediate future, his office said Wednesday.  

Chirac has written to Sharon inviting him to Paris “before the beginning of the summer”, meaning later this month, on what will be only his second such visit to France since coming to power in 2001.  

A senior source close to the premier told AFP said the premier had accepted the invitation in principle but had submitted to Chirac’s office “three alternative dates in July”.  

“We are waiting to hear which dates are best for both sides,” he said, speaking on condition of anonymity.  

Earlier, another official in Sharon’s office said that the prime minister would not be able to go before the pullout of settlers and troops from the Gaza Strip that begins in mid-August.  

“He will be busy with the disengagement” from Gaza, the source said.