JERUSALEM, April 17 (Xinhuanet) -- Leaders of Gush Katif Jewish settlers in the Gaza Strip on Saturday decided to cancel a meeting with Prime Minister Ariel Sharon scheduled for Sunday, Ha'aretz daily reported.

    "There is no reason to meet the prime minister as long as he hasno answers for us, and right now he has no answers," one of the leaders was quoted as saying.

    However, the settlers decided to keep in touch with the prime minister's aides.

    Last week, Gush Katif leaders held two meetings with rabbis and council heads and decided to close ranks and act as a group rather than take individual action.

    But differences remain among the settlers. Most leaders stronglyobject direct contact with Sharon, while some favor direct communication with Sharon to promote the compensation plan.

    In the end, the hardliners prevailed and had the meeting canceled. They argued that settlers attending the originally planned meeting would be presented in the media as people who had given up the struggle against the disengagement.

    They also say that meeting Sharon could harm their case in the High Court of Justice, which is in the process of debating their petition against the disengagement.

    Under the disengagement plan, put forward by Sharon, Israel willwithdraw all settlements and forces from the Gaza Strip and four of120 from the West Bank. The process is due to begin in July. Enditem