Posted on 10/20/2005 9:00:10 AM PDT by Sabramerican
Bush praises Abbas in White House visit
BARRY SCHWEID Associated Press
WASHINGTON - President Bush heaped praise Thursday on Palestinian leader Mahmoud Abbas and said prospects for Palestinians gaining a state seem better than ever before.
"President Abbas is a man devoted to peace and to his people's aspiration for a state of their own," Bush said. "And today, the Palestinian people are closer to realizing their aspirations."
But Bush said, at a news conference after a one-hour meeting in the Oval Office, that "the way forward is confronting the threat armed gangs present to creation of a democratic Palestine."
Supporting Abbas, Bush called on Israel to stop constructing settlements on the West Bank. He assured Abbas he shared his vision of two states living side by side in peace and security.
"Israel should not undertake any activity that contravenes its roadmap obligations," Bush said,
(Excerpt) Read more at mercurynews.com ...
Four days after several young Israelis are murdered- after Israel leaves Gaza- this President threatens Israel.
He's lost it.
The lesson here is, terrorism pays.
Knew someone would get around to that.
Without elaboration, the president said Israel would be "held to account" for any actions that hamper peacemaking or burden the lives of Palestinians.
Unbelievable.
Someone needs to inform the president that Abbas is no longer in charge and never was to begin with. Egpyt will be calling all shots from now on and will be ruling gaza by proxy and getting the militants to do all their dirty work the same way Syria did in Lebannon.
There never will be a palestinian state. Egpyt will eventually reclaim the land as a part of their country. Thats tons of prime beach front property.
Nauseating. Revolting. Disgusting.
You see now one reason - out of many- why Gaza was stupid.
Israel is so easy that now the President can issue threats for more suicidal concessions..
Laura Bush didn't kiss Arafat's wife immediately afterward, did she?
What the h#ll is wrong with Bush making such a statement?
..."President Abbas is a man devoted to peace and to his people's aspiration for a state of their own," Bush said. "And today, the Palestinian people are closer to realizing their aspirations."...
What a maroon!
However, I fail to see how Bush could "hold (Israel) to account". His father tried that (freezing loan guarantees) and the evangelical Christians stayed home in the next election. Bill Clinton won the Presidency. All President Bush could do is get Democrats elected by trying to hurt Israel.
If the U.S. administration really does turn on Israel they may force the Israeli government into alliances with China and India. Is that what anyone wants? Israel doesn't want it for certain, but survival sometimes forces less that optimal choices.
Genesis 12:1-3
The Call of Abram
1 The LORD had said to Abram, "Leave your country, your people and your father's household and go to the land I will show you.
2 "I will make you into a great nation and I will bless you; I will make your name great, and you will be a blessing.
3 I will bless those who bless you, and whoever curses you I will curse; and all peoples on earth will be blessed through you."
It's not what he will do, it's that he feels he can in clear language threaten Israel.
What will Sharon say and do now?
I disagree, but then you know that. I don't think Gaza affected this one way or another. Bush would have turned on Israel no matetr what we did.
Getting the IDF out of Gaza frees up tremendous resources and gives the military more options. Maintaining 6,500 Jews in the midst of 1.5 million Arabs never made any sense. Settlement there should never have happened in the first place. Now Israel has a defensible border and the ability to strike at terrorists (i.e.: with artillery) without risking any Jewish lives.
As far as further concessions are concerned, I think the Prime Minister will know when to stand up to President Bush much as Prime Minister Shamir did with the first President Bush.
And Israel could have spent the rest of his term haggling over Gaza.
Now Bush is going for the kill.
without risking any Jewish lives.
You may have missed the Sunday attack.
Yes. He's clearly taken lessons from his father.
What will Sharon say and do now?
Honestly, nothing. I don't think he'll repeat the comparison to Czechoslovakia in 1938. I think he'll simply do what's in Israel's best interest (i.e.: not at all what the President wants) and hold off making any bellicose statements to delay the inevitable split with Washington as long as possible. At least that's what I hope.
Ultimately look to Prime Minister Shamir did to get a good indication of what Prime Minister Sharon will eventually have to do.
Also, you don't seriously believe the sale of drone parts to China was a "mistake", do you? Israel has been laying the groundwork for alliances with China and India just in case. I'd hate to see us go that way but.. if we have no choice... this Prime Minister will do what is necessary for the survival of Israel.
At this point most Americans support Israel as do most members of Congress from both parties. That may be what saves the American-Israeli alliance. I hope Freepers will write the White House and express their anger.
Disclaimer: Opinions posted on Free Republic are those of the individual posters and do not necessarily represent the opinion of Free Republic or its management. All materials posted herein are protected by copyright law and the exemption for fair use of copyrighted works.