term priority, has endorsed Sharon's plan to evacuate all 21 Jewish settlements in the Gaza Strip and four of 120 in the West Bank, a pullout now scheduled to begin on July 20. Sharon's trip to Bush's ranch will be his first after numerous visits to the White House in recent years. The change in venue was seen as an attempt by the White House to bolster a close ally who is under fire from settlers at home over the Gaza pullout plan. Bush uses meetings at his 1,600-acre (648-hectare) Prairie Chapel ranch to reward important allies and reach out to others. --SP 2255 Local Time 1955 GMT
