Israeli Prime Minister Ariel Sharon sent two senior aides to Washington to work out the final details of a meeting this week between the Israeli leader and US President George W. Bush.

　　Sharon is hoping to win an American endorsement for his plan to pull out of the Gaza Strip and four West Bank settlements. He is scheduled to meet with Bush on Wednesday.

　　Israeli officials said they were seeking American recognition of large blocs of West Bank settlements. But a senior Israeli official, speaking on condition of anonymity, said the Americans were resisting such assurances. Instead, the Americans will say a final settlement has to be reached through negotiations.

　　The Gaza pullout is among a series of unilateral measures Sharon has proposed to separate Israelis and Palestinians. He says the moves are necessary because there is no credible negotiating partner on the Palestinian side.

　　Winning American support is critical for Sharon, who is trying to garner support for his plan among his hard-line Likud Party.

　　Party officials decided yesterday to hold the referendum on April 29.

　　With party approval far from certain, an endorsement from Bush would give Sharon an important boost at home.

　　(The Associated Press)