Posted on 09/22/2004 12:30:41 PM PDT by yonif
US Ambassador Dan Kurtzer condemned Wednesday's terrorist attack in Jerusalem, speaking to reporters in the course of a visit with President Moshe Katsav less than two hours after the attack.
Kurtzer said that he was shocked and saddened at yet another terrorist attack that has left Israelis dead and wounded, and expressed condolences to the families directly affected.
"Terrorism is a terrible act at any time," he said, "but particularly during the holiday season."
The United States stands with Israel as it has throughout the recent period of terrorism, Kurtzer continued, "in demanding that the Palestinian Authority not only speak against terrorism, but act decisively to stop it and dismantle the infrastructure that continues to carry out these dreadful acts."
President George W. Bush has made it absolutely clear that terrorism has no place in the international order "and particularly here in Israel," said Kurtzer.
Emphasizing that Bush has been in the forefront of the global war against terror, Kurtzer said that he has stood shoulder to shoulder with Prime Minister Ariel Sharon and the people of Israel in fighting terror.
Kurtzer expressed the hope that as Israel carries out its anti-terrorist activities, the Palestinian people will be able to live in dignity and provisions will be made for their welfare.
Katsav answered that only a return to the political process would enable Palestinians to solve the problems from which they suffer as a result of terrorist activity.
"The Palestinians continue to show a lack of leadership and responsibility," said Katsav. "The only way to advance the political process is to stop terror."
Otherwise he stated that Israel has no choice but to continue fighting terrorism, to build the separation fence and to take preventive military action.
In view of the fact that the Aksa Martyrs Brigades, the military wing of Palestinian Authority Chairman Yasser Arafat's Fatah faction, claimed responsibility for the attack, Katsav was asked whether the time had come to get rid of Arafat.
"Arafat has no immunity," he replied, "but as the Prime Minister has clearly said already, the matter is not on the agenda."
"inshallah" the palesites can have their welfare looked after in Hell.
will Putin condemn the bombing?
Speaking from the right side of his mouth today. Tomorrow he'll be complaining about the route of the fence, hardships on the palestinians, and Israel's failure to live up to it's obligations under the road map.
Abu Kurtzer?
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