Posted on 05/27/2005 5:38:18 AM PDT by SJackson
Deputy Prime Minister Ehud Olmert, seemingly alarmed by the reports emanating from Thursday's White House meeting, says there's nothing new in the White House commitments to Abu Mazen.
Olmert told Army Radio Friday morning that the reports of firm White House promises to the Palestinian Authority (PA) are exaggerated. He did not elaborate, however, saying the radio is not the forum to speculate about the position of US President George W. Bush and his administration.
Olmert is an adamant proponent of the disengagement/expulsion plan, and was the first senior official to hint at, and then later openly support, Prime Minister Ariel Sharon’s plan to evict Gaza and northern Shomron residents and leave their lands to the Arabs.
Bush and PA Chairman Mahmoud Abbas (Abu Mazen) met yesterday in the White House. The meeting was described as warm, and Bush effusively praised Abbas while declining to make public demands upon him.
"I take great faith in not only his [Abbas'] personal character, but the fact that he campaigned on a platform of peace," Bush said, adding that he is a "man of courage" and is "committed to democracy." The U.S. President promised him $50 million to be used for new housing and infrastructure projects in Gaza "to help ensure that the Gaza disengagement is a success."
Asked if Abbas was doing everything he could to end terrorism, Bush said, "I know the President is committed to democracy... He's committed; that's what he said he was going to do and he's now fulfilling it." He did not elaborate.
Bush also ducked a hard question about the Hamas terrorist organization, which is expected to do well in the upcoming PA elections. Asked if he thought that Abbas should close Hamas down, Bush said no, explaining, "I don't think they're going to get elected, because I think Palestinian moms want their children to grow up in peace just like American moms want their children to grow up in peace. As a matter of fact, I think the people that campaign for peace will win."
Bush used the press conference to speak forcefully to Israel: "Israel should not undertake any activity that contravenes Road Map obligations or prejudice final status negotiations with regard to Gaza, the West Bank and Jerusalem. Therefore, Israel must remove unauthorized outposts and stop settlement expansion. The barrier being erected by Israel as a part of its security effort must be a security, rather than political, barrier. And its route should take into account, consistent with security needs, its impact on Palestinians not engaged in terrorist activities. As we make progress toward security, and in accordance with the Road Map, Israeli forces should withdraw to their positions on September the 28th, 2000. Any final status agreement must be reached between the two parties, and changes to the 1949 Armistice lines must be mutually agreed to. A viable two-state solution must ensure contiguity of the West Bank, and a state of scattered territories will not work. There must also be meaningful linkages between the West Bank and Gaza. This is the position of the United States today, it will be the position of the United States at the time of final status negotiations."
In referring to Israel's Road Map commitments, Bush ignored the fact that the Israeli Government attached 14 reservations to its acceptance of the plan. Two years ago, on May 25, 2003, the Cabinet resolved at the end of a stormy six-hour meeting that "the implementation of the Road Map plan will take place contingent upon the 14 comments that Israel submitted to the Americans."
Though Sharon himself said at the time that these are "red lines beyond which we cannot and will not withdraw," he does not mention them in his public references to the Road Map plan.
Among the reservations are the following points: "There must be no terrorism during the process. The Palestinians will dismantle the existing security organizations and will form new organizations to combat terror, violence and incitement. Full performance will be a condition for progress between phases and for progress within phases. The first condition for progress will be the complete cessation of terror, violence and incitement. Progress between phases will come only following the full implementation of the preceding phase."
In addition to Ehud Olmert, the Prime Minister’s Office also issued a calming message today (Friday). "The Palestinians received no new promises, and nothing was said that harms Israel," it said.
Olmert said that the U.S. has always supported territorial contiguity for a PA state, but that in any event, "we cannot begin negotiations on the Road Map Plan before terrorism stops totally, democracy comes and the incitement ends." This appeared to contradict Bush's demands as expressed yesterday.
Bush also said he had asked his Secretary of State Condoleeza Rice to travel to Jerusalem and Ramallah "before the beginning of the Israeli withdrawal [to] consult with Israelis and Palestinians on the disengagement, their shared commitments and the way back on the Road Map."
The Bush-Abbas meeting was their second in 18 months, and the first time a PA Chairman has visited the White House since Arafat met the outgoing Bill Clinton in January 2001.
I believe America's support of Israel is the most important issue we face. I am so disheartened by our president. I still would never have voted for Kerry, but I'm beginning to wonder if it a Kerry presidency would have been any different in this regard. I am angry and heartsick that President Bush has no regard for prophecy.
--Marty
Zekeriah 12:8 On that day the Lord himself will defend the inhabitants of Jerusalem, so that the weakest among them will be like mighty David, and the dynasty of David will be like God, like the angel of the Lord before them.
12:9 So on that day I will set out to destroy all the nations that come against Jerusalem.”
Bush pandering to the PLO. Unfreaking believable.
It's a mistake for Bush to try and "soften" his image. I think he's trying to get the rest of the world to like him better but I prefer him to be like he was in his first term.
"I don't think they're going to get elected, because I think Palestinian moms want their children to grow up in peace just like American moms want their children to grow up in peace. As a matter of fact, I think the people that campaign for peace will win."
+++
Uh, ok. Right.
Is he really that delusional, stupid, or what?
I don't know why, my government is doing the same evil.
That's right. Israel does not need George Bush on their side, they have God on their side. I am sick, though, that GWB is choosing to place America on the side that opposes God.
"They have touched the apple of God's eye. I pity them."
http://www.watch.org/articles.html?mcat=1
Bush and Abbas Make Alarming Statements
By Bill Koenig
U.S. President George W. Bush is rapidly moving himself and our nation on a collision course with God over Israel’s covenant land. His peace efforts and personal commitments are alarming. His efforts could very well lead Israel into a civil war and further division.
He will be responsible for the forceful evacuation of Jews by Jews off the land God gave to Abraham, Isaac and Jacob and their descendants. If his policies are implemented Israel will be living in indefensible borders. He is calling for a contigous Palestinian state from Ramallah to Gaza, which it seems will separate Israel. Additionally, his plan to put a Palestinian state on God’s covenant land and replace Jews with Palestinian terrorists is incomprehensible. The whole peace process is built on lies, deception, falsehoods and unfairness.
Palestinian President Mahmoud Abbas stated, "We must then immediately move to permanent status negotiations to deal with the issues of Al-Quds, East Jerusalem as a capital of the future state of Palestine, the issues of refugees, settlements, borders, security, and water, on the basis of President Bush's vision, and on the basis of U.N. resolutions, and the basis of the Arab Initiative."
I'm very sad to say it but it's a good thing that this is W's second term because more and more I find myself questioning whether I'd be able to vote for him again if it were not. I can't support him on the idea that 50 million of our tax dollars are going to build housing that results from the displacement of Israeli citizens, and I'm appalled that he speaks so highly of Abbas. Makes me wonder why he was so adamant about not ever meeting with Arafat.
The only good thing about this is maybe this brings Israel one step closer to realizing that the only One they can truly depend on is God. It's certainly hard to watch the process though.
God is not happy either with this kind of treachery. He expect America to come alongside Israel, not the Palis. He gave that land to the Jews and Bush had better not try to divide Jerusalem. That would be a fatal mistake for him and for America.
I feel the same way. He's in lots of deep doo and so is America when we side with the palis.
I agree! The thought of my tax money going to them is extremely disturbing to me. I am very disappointed in him.
What the heck is going on with this man??????
Someone please send him the pictures of little children with bomb straps and arms.
These "moms" have been programed into raising these children to be martyrs.
I think the principalities are working against our president.
Pray for him.
This makes no sense!!!!!
The only good here was this:
"A viable two-state solution must ensure contiguity of the West Bank, and a state of scattered territories will not work. There must also be meaningful linkages between the West Bank and Gaza. This is the position of the United States today, it will be the position of the United States at the time of final status negotiations."
Considering that Arutz Sheva claimed that the plan was to cut Israel in half, this is at least an plain statement that there will be no real contiguity between the West Bank and Gaza. It will be the Palestinian State cut in half.
This suggests that perhaps the US is hoping that Gaza will be absorbed by Egypt.
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