Posted on 03/28/2003 11:21:17 AM PST by hope
Bush and Blair differ subtly on roadmap timetable
President Bush and Prime Minister Blair held a joint press conference Thursday after their meetings at Camp David. Towards the end of their respective opening statements, both leaders briefly mentioned the Israel-Palestinian conflict.
Whereas Blair said their roadmap would be published "as soon as the confirmation of the new Palestinian Prime Minister is properly administered," Bush said it would be released "soon".
Bush: "History requires more of our coalition than a defeat of a terrible danger. I see an opportunity, as does Prime Minister Blair, to bring renewed hope and progress to the entire Middle East. Last June 24th, I outlined a vision of two states, Israel and Palestine, living side-by-side in peace and security. Soon, we'll release the road map that is designed to help turn that vision into reality."
Blair: "In addition, as has just been said to you, we had an excellent discussion of the Middle East, and we both share a complete determination to move this forward. It is, indeed, often overlooked that President Bush is the first US President publicly to commit himself to a two-state solution, an Israel confident of its security and a viable Palestinian state. And I welcome the decision announced recently to publish the road map as soon as the confirmation of the new Palestinian Prime Minister is properly administered."
There was no further mention of the conflict during questions, which focused on the prosecution of the war in Iraq.
(Source: Office of the White House Press Secretary)
This article can also be read at http://www.jpost.com/servlet/Satellite?pagename=JPost/A/JPArticle/ShowFull&cid=1048832857261
NY Times headline for the same story "Rift Between Bush and Blair Over Roadmap Timetable Widens Into Chasm"
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