[Cicero]

I notice that Safire, who is a firm and reliable supporter of Israel (it's the one thing that never changes with him) does not commit himself on this. I think it means that he trusts Bush but is not 100% sure.

I tend to agree. Bush is reliable on Israel. He has supported Israel more firmly than any American president since the country was founded. But I still think he is taking some foolish advice. This renewal of the "peace process" will do nobody any good.

[Cachelot]

But I still think he is taking some foolish advice. This renewal of the "peace process" will do nobody any good.

Hang in there.

Bush has commitments, not least to Tony Blair, whose support in Iraq had a great deal to do with his (and EU's) soft spot for the "palestinians" and with putting Bush in a position of debt. Oh, I'm not saying that Tony's commitment against terror is faked, but there's another facet to it as well.

So the roadmap is on, for now. Until Bush can toss it aside as a corpse, so to speak, murdered by the "palestinians" themselves. They haven't disappointed yet ;).

[SJackson]

I notice that Safire, who is a firm and reliable supporter of Israel (it's the one thing that never changes with him) does not commit himself on this. I think it means that he trusts Bush but is not 100% sure.

He may trust GWB implicitly, Sharon as well, and simply believe the road map is a flawed plan which entails significant human risks for Israel, and a low probability of success.

Given the nature of the participants on the palestinian side, I'd tend to agree with him.

Does anyone expect Phase to be completed on Saturday?