Netanyahu blasted for conference planIsraeli Prime Minister Benjamin Netanyahu this week rebuffed criticism at home and abroad for proposing that an international conference be convened to discuss regional issues. The premier raised the idea in an interview published last weekend in a Spanish newspaper, suggesting that the purpose of such a gathering would be to encourage multilateral dialogue in such areas as disarmament, energy, water and transport. Netanyahu said that he did not envision the proposed conference as replacing an American initiative to break the deadlock in Israeli-Palestinian talks or as an alternative to resuming bilateral talks.A week ago, Netanyahu was taken to task by the Arab world, the Israeli opposition and even some members of his own coalition for proposing that a national referendum be held on the issue of redeploying Israeli troops from the West Bank. The Prime Minister's Office said this week a final decision on whether to hold a referendum would be discussed by the Cabinet only after an agreement is reached between Israel and the Palestinians on the redeployment. 
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