Posted on 04/08/2003 3:48:21 AM PDT by Asher
Apr. 8, 2003
Bush: 'We are committed to the Road Map'
By THE JERUSALEM POST INTERNET STAFF
President George W. Bush said Tuesday that the US and Britain "are committed to the Road Map toward peace."
Speaking at a joint news conference with British Prime Minister Tony Blair in Hillsborough, Northern Ireland, Bush added: "Now this process must be carried forward."
Moments earlier Blair also reaffirmed Britain's commitment to the plan, which calls for achieving Palestinian statehood by 2005.
"It's a hopeful time. I believe we can make progress," Bush said.
Bush further said he is pleased with the designated Palestinian premier Mahmoud Abbas.
Yes, events have a way of doing that where PA compliance is concerned. But why now give it a try!
The Palestinian’s themselves are expected to prove, or disprove the viability of the “Road Map” by fulfilling, among other things, the following obligations (rehashes, though more lenient, of their non-accomplishments for a decade, but who holds that against them?) by May, 2003 (or maybe within a 2 or 3 month extension). If you believe these will happen in the next couple months (most should have happened already), then the Road Map is viable. I think GWB may well be giving them a final (undeserved) chance to display their duplicitious nature. Given the cost in American blood of our operations in Afghanistan and Iraq, I doubt GWB is anxious to create another terrorist state in such close proximity to Syria to take up the regional mantle from Sadaam.
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Immediately implement an unconditional cessation of violence, undertake comprehensive political reform cabinet, with an empowered prime minister [per GWB, no Arafat influence].
recognize and reiterate Israel's right to exist in peace and security, implement an immediate and unconditional cease fire.
Establishan independent election commission, hold free, open, and fair elections.
Declare an unequivocal end to violence and terrorism and undertake visible efforts on the ground to arrest, disrupt, and restrain individuals and groups conducting and planning violent attacks on Israelis anywhere.
Palestinian Authority security forces begin sustained, targeted, and effective operations aimed at dismantling terrorist capabilities and infrastructure.
If you always look back and never take chances you will not grow. We changed in one day 9/10 normal by 9/12 everything changed. Our outlook and inlook. We are now going to make sure that this wont happen again.
By any means!
The land Israel now occupies is God's Covenant gift to the Jews, His chosen people.
Some share the view:
"The book of Hebrews in the New Testament makes it clear that there was an end put to the old covenant and a new one formed through Christ for those who accept Him as Lord."
For finding fault with them, Behold, the days come, saith the Lord when I will make a new covenant with the House of Israel and the House of Judah: Not according to the covenant that I made with their fathers, in the day when I took them by the hand out of the land of Egypt; because they continued not in my covenant, and I regarded them not, saith the Lord. (Hebrews 8:6-7, 9-10)
This should remain a political debate, not a religious debate, in my opinion.
Yes. In fact the rapid establishment of a Palestinian State, based on Sharia law, coupled with the survival of the Assad regime in Syria, both future centers of terror, will go a long was in validating the memory, within the Arab world, of their most recent martyr (to-be?) S. Hussein.
You say that the US changed from 9/10 to 9/12... you are right. What was that change. We went out to kick some terrorist butt.
But the terrorists remain the same.
Israel understands that the terrorists stay the same. And the terrorists that plague them, the West wants to give them a state... with all the rights of a state...
Israel suffers a 9/11 every two to three month (dead to population ratio)...
The response from the West... Israel needs not retaliate in a way to harm the peace process. Didn't see that reaction from the President at all after 9/11. If he can say "wanted dead or alive," what can't Sharon.
Because... of politics.
Great!
Oh, wait. There's a teensy problem. Arafat isn't:
Tripped up by Arafat premier designate Abu Mazen may pull out rather than present cabinet
Actually, it should be a Historical debate.
Find an example of Israel trading land for peace to the "palestinians," where the Arabs have honored their word.
Find an example where the Arabs haven't use their newly-acquired land as a beachhead to launch more attacks and murders of the Jews.
Find an example where the Arabs haven't simply demanded more Israeli land.
Find even a single precedent for any rational expectation of success with the "road map."What does History say?
I am very open to any viable alternative.
Do you believe the solution is resettling the 3 million Palestinians to Jordan?If the answer is yes, and Jordan rejects the idea, what should we do next?
It is very easy to criticize this initiative. Providing a viable alternative is more difficult.
Do you believe the solution is resettling the 3 million Palestinians to Jordan?If the answer is yes, and Jordan rejects the idea, what should we do next?
It is very easy to criticize this initiative. Providing a viable alternative is more difficult.
Sorry, that won't fly.
The road map is unviable from the start, as History demonstrates. Your post amounts to "I will ignore History and repeat the failures of the past, unless you can provide a viable alternative."
Since the road map is an absolutely guaranteed failure, I need present no option: even doing nothing is preferable to the road map.
My suggestion is that the inevitable war in Israel be put off at least until after the terror states of Syria and Iran have met their fates. In the meantime, Israel should quietly prepare, and we should quietly assist them in this regard. Israel is our ally in the War on Terror. The "palestinians" are our enemy, but are necessarily a little further down the list of targets.
Fair enough.
What happens to the 3 million Palestinians after this inevitable war is won? Do they become Israeli citizens, remain in the status quo, or are they resettled in another country?
Take another look at the map that I posted in #127. Look at all the land that is occupied by Israel. Then look at all the land that is occupied by the surrounding countries. Why is it an atrocity to resettle 3 million people, currently living in abject squalor, amongst other people with whom they share a common language, religion and heritage, not to mention millions of square miles of undeveloped prime real estate?
Oh, so it's not "what they want." But "what they want" is a "Palestine" that includes all of Israel, once all the Jews have been driven out. They want all of Haifa, all of Jerusalem, and all of Tel Aviv. They don't want a "Palestinian state," they want what the Jews have. Should they be allowed to continue to believe that eventually they will get what they want?
Why is it so unreasonable and a "crime against humanity" to recommend that the Arabs open their hearts and welcome their brothers the way the Israelis welcome their fellow Jews?
So what's a better and more humane option, to continue to live in a squalid refugee camp hoping that eventually you will move into that Jew's house in Netanya, or to move to a nice new subdivision in the democracy formerly known as Iraq?
President Bush has provided outstanding leadership in our War on Terrorism. I am prepared to follow his lead and judgement on the best way to resolve the Palestinian/Israel dilemma.
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