White House Backs Latest Israeli Attacks

The Washington Post (Excerpted) ^ | 06/13/2003 | Glenn Kessler

[DoughtyOne]

White House Backs Latest Israeli Attacks
Focus Shifts to Arab Leaders' Commitment to End Support for Militant Groups

By Glenn Kessler
Washington Post Staff Writer
Friday, June 13, 2003; Page A22

The Bush administration signaled strong support for Israel's crackdown on militant groups yesterday, effectively abandoning its earlier criticism of the government of
Israeli Prime Minister Ariel Sharon that had sparked an outcry from lawmakers on Capitol Hill and pro-Israel lobbying groups.

In coordinated statements, White House and State Department officials tried to shift the diplomatic focus from Israeli actions to the commitment made by Arab
leaders at a summit last week in Egypt to cut off funding and support for terrorist attacks against Israelis. Secretary of State Colin L. Powell made that point in a
round of phone calls to Arab foreign ministers, officials said.

Truncated as per our agreement with the Post.

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[DoughtyOne]

I would agree. I also think it's time we pull out all the stops to find alternative fuels and put this oil issue to rest. Yes I hear you hemp advocates breathing heavily. I'm not immune to using it for that purpose.

[TLBSHOW]

Great news if true. From what I understand Bush heard from a lot of angry people this last week.

[McGavin999]

Why did anyone doubt this? Bush and Powell have both been delivering ultimatum for weeks about shutting down Hamas and Hizbollah, first to Syria, and then at the summit in SA. Bush always gives people a chance to change first. Whoever broke their word is in deep serious.

[Bobby777]

I would pray so ... too many Presidents have tried to make a deal with these terrorists ... the result is always the same ... nonetheless, I doubt the Islamics (not necessarily all Arabs) will ever let the Israelis live in peace ... they may fall back for awhile, but they will return ...

[Reagan Man]

Another rush to judgement. You guys keep jumping to conclusions every other day. Don't forget, its a Wash Post story.

>>>

>>>Administration officials insisted yesterday they were not backing off their earlier criticism of the Israeli attack.

A more fair and honest interpretation would conclude that PresBush is triangulating his ME policy. "Strategery"!

[LADY J]

Great news. Israel can clean them up there while our troops are wiping them out in Iraq with a tremendous amount of fire power that was a great success.

A 2 front prong!!

[Reagan Man]

>>>From what I understand Bush heard from a lot of angry [and emotional] people this last week.

He ain't the only one.

Hang on, this is going to be a bumpy ride.

[Howlin]

Only the people who wanted to doubt it doubted it.

They all have an agenda; and it's NOT supporting Bush.

I have no doubt that this administration knew this is exactly what was going to happen.

After all, WE all said that the PA would NEVER stop back when Bush announced it; and he hasn't deviated ONE IOTA since the day he said it last year.

[thoughtomator]

Not to brag, but this is exactly what I've been telling people Bush would do =)

Go Team Civilization!

[DoughtyOne]

Well maybe he should have. There has never been a leader who wasn't able to raise the level of his game by listening to those who differ with him. It's the sign of a great man when he can listen to those who disagree, and from time to time take their advise. Perhaps someone made a comment that touched him personally.

Or may it was a swift kick in the pants, I just don't know. All I know is I think he's made a terrific decision if early indications are borne out.

This is the first major change in policy with Israel v terrorists in twenty to thirty years IMO. We have always been timid backing Israel in public. Hell if we don't who will. Nobody else feins neutrality in this.

We pull for Israel and a Palestinian state, but we are not going to tolerate any nonsense. That's how you should be fare with both sides.

As for terrorists, they have no quarter. They will be sough in every area and taken out. Welcome to reality. It's the first dose they've had.

[Howlin]

Didn't have to wait all that long, did we?

[McGavin999]

I'd ping some of them to this thread, but I think I'll go out and watch them watch them smear more egg on their faces.

[Shermy]

Very good.

[Mo1]

The issue is "terrorists who are killing in an attempt to stop a hopeful process from moving forward."

BINGO!!!

[Reagan Man]

Check this thread out.

You'll love it.

[Ready4Freddy]

Hasn't W been doing the double standard w/ Israel for well over a year now? Saying how we'll root out terrorism all over the world, but Israel has to play nice with the palis?

Glad he's (apparently) had a change of heart, finally.

[Reagan Man]

Oh ye of little faith.

All week long, you yahoo's have been trashing and ridiculing PresBush and his supporters here on FR, over his efforts with the "Road Map For Peace". You read a story from a liberal BeltWay rag, the Washington Post and all of a sudden you jump on the Bush Peace Plan Express. Well, welcome onboard!

Btw, wipe that egg off your face.

[Republican Wildcat]

Bush knows that as long as HAMAS is in power, the road map can never even begin to be enacted. It is difficult to negotiate with a group who's stated goal is not to have a Palestinian state, but to murder all Israelis.

[DoughtyOne]

To: DoughtyOne

Another rush to judgement. You guys keep jumping to conclusions every other day. Don't forget, its a Wash Post story.

It has been something like thirty hours since Israel launched their couter attacks starting yesterday morning.  Bush blasted the terrorists for the bus attack and hasn't condemned Israel even remotely.

I heard Bush and Powell's statements.  Even Kofi Annan didn't criticize Israel.  I'm not jumping to conlusions when I say these comments were a night and day departure from their former policy of criticizing Israel and asking them to hold off attacks.  If you don't want to accept that, I don't mind.  It's my take on this, and it is a change from the past.

>>>Administration officials insisted yesterday they were not backing off their earlier criticism of the Israeli attack.

A more fair and honest interpretation would conclude that PresBush is triangulating his ME policy. "Strategery"!

Well I'll tell you what, you can play the old "unnamed sources" trumps "Bush's statement" game if you like, I disagree.

A far more honest interpretation is that your man just left you holding the "never strike back after terrorism" policy in a hand bag.

I thought you were supposed to support Bush's policy in the middle east.  BTW, does this now mean that Bush has abandoned the Road Map to Peace, like you've been screaming Sharon did?

No.  It dosn't.  What it means is that while Sharon tries to make peace with Abu Mazen, Sharon will take out the terrorists that will be coming after both of them.

Bush has trumped the terrorists and left some people with their mouths open trying to figure out why they are now disagreeing with him, when 24 hours ago they were jumping up and down for joy.

25 posted on 06/12/2003 10:07 PM PDT by Reagan Man

[Mo1]

We normally don't