Prime Minister Ariel Sharon has again urged Palestinian leader Mahmoud Abbas to disarm terrorist organizations. Sharon told visiting Jordanian Foreign Minister Hani Mulki that Abbas’ failure to confront the terrorists effectively gives these groups a veto over the peace process. The Prime Minister added that Israel would not open talks on Palestinian statehood until groups like Hamas and Islamic Jihad are dismantled. Abbas, however, is trying to bypass this key demand of the “roadmap” peace plan. He told “Time” magazine that "back channel" talks on final status issues such as Jerusalem and final borders should begin immediately.