The Palestinians were angry that Sharon rejected requests for the release of more prisoners, easing roadblocks and halting the expansion of settlements. "This was a difficult meeting, and did not live up to our expectations," Palestinian Prime Minister Ahmed Qureia told reporters. "In all the basic issues for which we were expecting positive responses, there were none." But Israel did offer a carrot and a stick. Sharon said Israel would hand over two more towns to Palestinian control, Bethlehem and Kalkiliya, on condition that Abbas cracks down on terrorist groups. And if not, Sharon said Israel would fight terror on its own.