DATE=7/28/03

TYPE=CORRESPONDENT REPORT

TITLE=BUSH / SHARON OVERNIGHTER (S ONLY)

NUMBER=2-305913

BYLINE=PAULA WOLFSON

DATELINE=WHITE HOUSE

CONTENT=

VOICED AT:

///EDITORS: BUSH - SHARON MEETING IS SCHEDULED TO BEGIN AT 11:50am ET.///

INTRO: President Bush meets today (Tuesday) at the White House with Israeli Prime Minister Ariel Sharon. V-O-A's Paula Wolfson reports they will be discussing ways to move the Mideast peace process forward.

TEXT: This meeting is designed, in large part, to underscore the president's personal involvement in the peace process.

Four days after he welcomed Palestinian Prime Minister Mahmoud Abbas, Mr. Bush will sit down for talks with Ariel Sharon.

The Israeli leader is expected to detail steps that are sure to be welcomed by Mr. Abbas, including the release of hundreds of Palestinian prisoners.

White House Spokesman Scott McClellan said the planned release will improve relations between the Israelis and the Palestinian Authority and help facilitate progress to peace. But he went on to say that no one wants prisoners freed who have blood on their hands.

Another contentious issue on the agenda for the Bush-Sharon meeting is Israel's plan to build a fence between the Jewish State and the West Bank. President Bush has sharply criticized the fence. And on Monday, Israel canceled a ceremony marking completion of the first section of the project. (signed)

NEB/PW/RH