By ARYEH DEAN COHEN

(May 24) - Yisrael Ba'aliya yesterday turned down Yisrael Beiteinu Party leader Avigdor Lieberman's offer to cooperate in determining areas in which the two sides have common interests on security.

But it left the door open to cooperation on absorption. "We will conduct talks on the government's policy regarding security and absorption with the prime minister-elect. We'll be happy to cooperate with any Knesset faction to advance the matter of absorption and integration of immigrants," party spokesman David Shechter said regarding the report of Lieberman's offer to hold talks with Yisrael Ba'aliya.

However, party leader Natan Sharansky wrote Lieberman, congratulating him on Yisrael Beiteinu's showing in the election.

"I have no doubt that cooperation between all the Zionist parties regarding the matter of immigrant absorption and integration will be an important part of our work in the next Knesset," he wrote.

A source close to Yisrael Ba'aliya said the fact that Yisrael Beiteinu was not mentioned by name by Sharansky is not coincidental, and reflected his cool reaction to Lieberman's letter and request for a meeting.

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Links in this section:
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