By STEVEN GUTKIN, Associated Press Writer
HERZLIYA, Israel - Declaring 2005 a year of opportunity, Prime Minister Ariel Sharon (news - web sites) held out the prospect of an independent state for the Palestinians if they stop violence and said he is ready to coordinate a Gaza pullout with them....
"We stand before a unique window of opportunity. Who knows when we will have this opportunity in the future," Sharon said.
Sharon said he is determined to go ahead with the planned withdrawal from Gaza and four West Bank settlements in 2005, "with conviction and without hesitation." Sharon is in negotiations with the moderate Labor Party to join his coalition as a buffer against threats from hard-liners to bring him down.