Posted on 06/23/2002 12:02:20 PM PDT by Michael2001
Members of Congress and Palestinian leaders on Sunday questioned President Bush's support for an interim Palestinian state and urged stepped-up U.S. peacemaking efforts as Bush waited for the right moment to announce his Mideast plan.
Bush and his advisers talked over the weekend about the details and timing of a long-awaiting speech outlining his ideas.
White House officials would not rule out an address as early as Monday. Some aides want to see the president deliver it before he leaves Tuesday for a three-day summit in Canada of the world's industrial powers.
The core of Bush's plan provisional statehood for the Palestinians is known. Issues such as precise borders, currency and whether such a state could join the United Nations would be resolved later.
Bush delayed an announcement last week after two suicide bombings in Jerusalem that killed 26 Israelis and the Israeli army began seizing Palestinian territory in the West Bank.
Ahead of an official announcement, the administration's proposal is being challenged by influential lawmakers and a Palestinian official.
Palestinian Cabinet Minister Nabil Shaath said his people would greet Bush's proposal for interim status "positively," but he was skeptical about its central provision.
"There is no such a thing as a provisional state," said on "Fox News Sunday."
Still, Shaath said he was eager for the United States to lay out a peace plan soon. "The important thing is to have the United States involved with the international community because we cannot do it on our own with the Israelis. We need a third party, and there's no better than the Americans," he said.
"I don't know what a provisional state means," said Sen. Joe Lieberman, D-Conn., on CBS's "Face the Nation." "Either you're a state or not a state."
What's needed is a permanent Palestinian state, Lieberman said, and the way to start is for Bush to send Secretary of State Colin Powell back to the region and have him bring the parties together around the plan offered by Saudi Arabia Arab peace with Israel in exchange for a Palestinian state on land Israel won in 1967.
"It's important that the president get back on the field here," he said. "The problem here is that this is going nowhere." Lieberman proposed substantial U.S. economic aid to Palestinians and said he would allow more into America as part of an effort to improve ties and separate young Palestinians from the culture of suicide bombing.
"That's a dicey proposition right now," said Sen. Richard Shelby, R-Ala., said on ABC's "This Week," of the interim state idea. "I don't know how you can create a Palestinian state at the moment with all of the violence that's going on, all of the terrorist attacks."
Israeli Defense Minister Benjamin Ben-Eliezer said on CBS that "the offer of President Bush will be welcomed if this will be under the feeling that all of the terror activities is somehow calmed, or at least someone (does) something in order to bring it lower than it is right now."
Several of those interviewed Sunday expressed growing skepticism about Yasser Arafat's ability to lead the Palestinians.
"I think he's at a point where he has lost control," Lieberman said.
"It's time for a change," Lieberman said. He should "ask himself what is in the best interests of the Palestinian people," Lieberman said, adding it was time for Arafat "to step aside."
"I personally believe that Arafat is a spent force," Shelby said.
Shaath said Arafat is the elected leader of the Palestinians, and said he will face elections again in January.
Isa 3:12 [As for] my people, children [are] their oppressors, and women rule over them. O my people, they which lead thee cause [thee] to err, and destroy the way of thy paths.
God help us.
Other than that, I'm at a loss for words.
Yes. Senator Lieberman. Palestinians belong in Connecticut.
They are a peace-loving people who belong throughout the land between Hartford and New Haven.
No, clearly the worship of PAlestinians and ties with them is obsene. This is not mere balanced approach with other US jurisdictions, it is mandated worship on humanitarian worshiped pretexts. A responsibilization of their fate on our shoulders, an adoption of abusers who prosecute us.
What kind of mentality would require Lieberman to demand from us that those who hate us and burn our flags must be given power over/against us? Why should we accept what those who self-worship demand?
Lieberman is an evil tyrant demanding worship from us.
Good find Michael...depressing as hell but good.
He wants more terrorists & terrorist recruits in the USA?
Perhaps Leiberman should ask himself what is in the best interests of the Americans, for once.
Good GOD! This man is insane! Someone needs to take out a full page ad in New Haven with this quote. Perhaps he'd be willing to put them up in his own state.
LOL bump! Very good point!
I have never posted that epithet before, but I honestly cannot think of any other explanation.
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