Free Republic

At the three-way summit between US President Bush, Prime Minister Ariel Sharon will apparently state in his opening remarks that Israel does not wish to control the lives of 3.5 million Palestinians, Israel Radio reports. A government spokesman announced that US envoys have been working with both sides on their statements, and that it would be helpful if the Palestinians recognized Israel as the Jewish state at the Egyptian summit as well as in Aqaba. But Palestinian Prime Minister Mahmoud Abbas will apparently not be doing so. Sharon also issued a call on Sunday for Israelis to quieten the tone...

President George W. Bush on Friday said one of the main reaons for his planned soujourn in the Middle East next week is his wish to show the region's leaders that he is "determined" to create a two-state solution in order to achieve peace between Israel and the Palestinians. In a series of interviews conducted Thursday and released Friday, as he flew to Poland, Bush said he wanted to meet with Mideast leaders because "I am intent upon working toward a two-state solution in the Middle East - two states, Israel and Palestine, living side-by-side in peace. In other words,...

For Immediate ReleaseOffice of the Press SecretaryMay 31, 2003 President's Radio Address      Audio THE PRESIDENT: Good morning. This weekend I am beginning a journey to Europe and the Middle East. My first stop is Poland, the home of a proud people who have known both the horror of tyranny and the hope of liberty. On a visit to Warsaw two years ago, I affirmed our nation's commitment to a united Europe, bound to America by close ties of history, commerce and friendship. Today we are striving for a world in which men and women can live in freedom and peace,...

Bush will not meet Schroeder 30 May 2003 WASHINGTON - In a clear sign of continued frosty relations with Germany, US President George W. Bush will not have a one-on- one meeting with German Chancellor Gerhard Schroeder during the upcoming G8 summit in France, one of Bush's top advisors said. Print this article Email this article Write to the editor Start or join a discussion "It's a very short period of time," Rice said, adding that Bush would see Schroeder during the scheduled summit meetings in Evian on Sunday and Monday. Bush will however meet with French President Jacques Chirac...

YAHOO CAPTION: Map showing US President George W. Bush's travel itinerary ahead of a week-long tour of Europe and the Middle East, starting Friday. By releasing this map to its worldwide customers, AFP might just as well be painting a bulls-eye on the President.

WITH the aim of advancing Middle East peace while dispelling European doubts about his abilities on the world stage, President Bush today embarks on his most ambitious overseas foray so far. From Russia to the Red Sea, via an awkward gathering in France, Mr Bush’s handling of bruised allies and skills in coaxing wary adversaries will be challenged as never before. When planning for the trip began, the itinerary surrounding the annual G8 summit of industrialised nations in Evian had little to raise it above the humdrum. But the Iraq war and possible breakthrough in the Middle East have seen...

<p>While President Bush will use this week's European trip to talk to foreign leaders about the war on terrorism, AIDS, world poverty and genetically modified crops, many eyes will be searching for signs of a snub when he meets French President Jacques Chirac.</p>

<p>President Bush plans to hold his first meeting with Israeli and Palestinian leaders on Wednesday, traveling to Jordan to lend his personal prestige to jump-starting the stalled peace process.</p> <p>Palestinian Authority leader Yasser Arafat was not invited to the summit and has expressed frustration that he is being marginalized by the White House. Mr. Bush recently withheld release of a U.S.-backed "road map" for peace until Mr. Arafat grudgingly installed a new Palestinian prime minister, Mahmoud Abbas, who will attend the summit.</p>

May. 29, 2003 Bush summit with Mideast leaders set By THE ASSOCIATED PRESS WASHINGTON President Bush thrust himself deeper into the Mideast peace process Wednesday, arranging to meet in Jordan next week with the prime ministers of Israel and the Palestinians and planning to attend a separate summit in Egypt with Arab leaders. Yasser Arafat not invited to either meeting remained a wild card. The longtime PLO leader's attempts to inject himself into the process threatened to undermine Bush's efforts to deal exclusively with Palestinian Prime Minister Mahmoud Abbas and Israeli Prime Minister Ariel Sharon. "The president has been unequivocal...