Al-Quds city, June 19, SPA -- Israeli Prime Minister Ariel Sharon said Sunday that a successful and orderly pullout from the GazaStrip would energize the peace process with thePalestinians and revive the long-stalled "road map" peaceplan. Sharon spoke before meeting with U.S. Secretary of StateCondoleezza Rice, who was in the region on a two-day visitintended to pressure the Israelis and the Palestinians toput aside their disagreements and cooperate on thewithdrawal, which is to begin in less than two months. "I believe that a smooth and successful implementation ofthe plan in coordination with the Palestinians, will helpenergize the political process under the road map," Sharonwas quoted as saying by The Associated Press. The road map, which calls for a Palestinian state by theend of 2005, stalled soon after its adoption in 2003 withboth Israel and the Palestinians failing to meet theirinitial obligations. The Palestinians have sought toincorporate the Gaza pullout into the road map. Israel,which initially envisioned the pullout as a unilateralmove, has resisted committing to any peace efforts untilafter it has left Gaza.--SPA1139 Local Time 0839 GMT www.spa.gov.sa/270933