Posted on 09/10/2003 10:07:54 AM PDT by yonif
WASHINGTON (AFP) - US President George W. Bush (news - web sites) said he remained committed to the so-called roadmap to Middle East peace and called on the Palestinians to battle extremists who target Israel with violence.
Asked whether Palestinian prime minister-designate Ahmed Qorei would help bring peace to the region, Bush replied: "Time will tell."
"The roadmap is still there," despite a renewed cycle of deadly violence pitting Palestinians against Israelis, Bush told reporters in the Oval Office as he met Wednesday with Kuwaiti Prime Minister Sheikh Sabah al-Ahmad al-Sabah.
US President George W. Bush (news - web sites) (R) shakes hands with Kuwaiti Prime Minister Sheik Sabah al-Hamad Al Sabah. Bush insisted that he remained committed to the so-called roadmap to Middle East peace.(AFP/Luke Frazaa)
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"I still believe the idea of 2 countries living side by side in peace is the vision full of hope to for the future of the Middle East." This is what the President of the US, George Bush, said a short time ago, in a conversation with reporters in the Oval Office, at the White House. When asked if he could work to the side of the new Palestinian Prime Minister, Abu Ala, like he worked next to Abu Mazen, Bush responded: "Only Time will tell"
Lord, in order to fulfill these injunctions I have one and only one prayer request for our President:
Open His eyes to the truth, help him to once and for all realize that Israel's enemies are America's enemies and that the supposed "Roadmap For Peace" is nothing more than a roadmap for Israel's destruction! Work in his heart to FINALLY STOP listening to the likes of Colin Powel (and now Condi Rice) who saw Israel is at fault and who begged the terrorist Arafat to work to stop the violence (he himself has instigated) in order to “salvage” the "Road Map to Peace". Father this is something we as a nation and he as our President would NEVER do with Bin Ladden and his ilk.
Lord God, instead of encouraging Israel to "maintain restraint", lead President Bush to set Arial Sharon and Israel free to defend themselves; to utterly destroy these Islamic savages, these killers of innocent women and children. These wicked men who follow and serve an evil, wicked, bloody god, whose stated goal is the utter destruction of Israel.
Convict our president that it is the height of hypocrisy to take the stand he has undertaken. We cannot fight and kill terrorists and defend our own nation from those who have brutally slaughtered our citizens and who threaten our very existence while at the same time forbidding Israel from doing the very same thing. Until our president does this; we as a nation are under your curse and will continue to be guilty of supporting the destruction of Israel all in the name of a “roadmap to peace”.
This is my only request the name of our Lord and savior Jesus Christ, amen
How much of the electorate, particularly swing voters, do you think care about pursuing the road map? IMO, not many.
You're right, he could, but Powell is more interested in completing Phase I of his revised road map, below.
Phase I: Ending Terror And Violence, Normalizing Palestinian Life, and Building Palestinian Institutions -- Present to May 2003
In Phase I, the Palestinians immediately undertake an unconditional cessation of violence according to the steps outlined below; such action should be accompanied by supportive measures undertaken by Israel. Palestinians and Israelis resume security cooperation based on the Tenet work plan to end violence, terrorism, and incitement through restructured and effective Palestinian security services. Palestinians undertake comprehensive political reform in preparation for statehood, including drafting a Palestinian constitution, and free, fair and open elections upon the basis of those measures. Israel takes all necessary steps to help normalize Palestinian life. Israel withdraws from Palestinian areas occupied from September 28, 2000 and the two sides restore the status quo that existed at that time, as security performance and cooperation progress. Israel also freezes all settlement activity, consistent with the Mitchell report.
At the outset of Phase I:
+ Palestinian leadership issues unequivocal statement reiterating Israel’s right to exist in peace and security and calling for an immediate and unconditional ceasefire to end armed activity and all acts of violence against Israelis anywhere. All official Palestinian institutions end incitement against Israel.
+Israeli leadership issues unequivocal statement affirming its commitment to the two-state vision of an independent, viable, sovereign Palestinian state living in peace and security alongside Israel, as expressed by President Bush, and calling for an immediate end to violence against Palestinians everywhere. All official Israeli institutions end incitement against Palestinians.
Security
+ Palestinians 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.
+Rebuilt and refocused Palestinian Authority security apparatus begins sustained, targeted, and effective operations aimed at confronting all those engaged in terror and dismantlement of terrorist capabilities and infrastructure. This includes commencing confiscation of illegal weapons and consolidation of security authority, free of association with terror and corruption.
+GOI takes no actions undermining trust, including deportations, attacks on civilians; confiscation and/or demolition of Palestinian homes and property, as a punitive measure or to facilitate Israeli construction; destruction of Palestinian institutions and infrastructure; and other measures specified in the Tenet work plan.
+Relying on existing mechanisms and on-the-ground resources, Quartet representatives begin informal monitoring and consult with the parties on establishment of a formal monitoring mechanism and its implementation.
+Implementation, as previously agreed, of U.S. rebuilding, training and resumed security cooperation plan in collaboration with outside oversight board (U.S.–Egypt–Jordan). Quartet support for efforts to achieve a lasting, comprehensive cease-fire.
- All Palestinian security organizations are consolidated into three services reporting to an empowered Interior Minister Yasser Arafat
-Restructured/retrained Palestinian security forces and IDF counterparts progressively resume security cooperation and other undertakings in implementation of the Tenet work plan, including regular senior-level meetings, with the participation of U.S. security officials.
+ Arab states cut off public and private funding and all other forms of support for groups supporting and engaging in violence and terror.
+All donors providing budgetary support for the Palestinians channel these funds through the Palestinian Ministry of Finance's Single Treasury Account.
+ As comprehensive security performance moves forward, IDF withdraws progressively from areas occupied since September 28, 2000 and the two sides restore the status quo that existed prior to September 28, 2000. Palestinian security forces redeploy to areas vacated by IDF.
Palestinian Institution-Building
+Immediate action on credible process to produce draft constitution for Palestinian statehood. As rapidly as possible, constitutional committee circulates draft Palestinian constitution, based on strong parliamentary democracy and cabinet with empowered prime minister, for public comment/debate. Constitutional committee proposes draft document for submission after elections for approval by appropriate Palestinian institutions.
+Appointment of interim prime minister or cabinet with empowered executive authority/decision-making body.
+GOI fully facilitates travel of Palestinian officials for PLC and Cabinet sessions, internationally supervised security retraining, electoral and other reform activity, and other supportive measures related to the reform efforts.
+Continued appointment of Palestinian ministers empowered to undertake fundamental reform. Completion of further steps to achieve genuine separation of powers, including any necessary Palestinian legal reforms for this purpose.
+ Establishment of independent Palestinian election commission. PLC reviews and revises election law.
+Palestinian performance on judicial, administrative, and economic benchmarks, as established by the International Task Force on Palestinian Reform.
+As early as possible, and based upon the above measures and in the context of open debate and transparent candidate selection/electoral campaign based on a free, multi-party process, Palestinians hold free, open, and fair elections.
+GOI facilitates Task Force election assistance, registration of voters, movement of candidates and voting officials. Support for NGOs involved in the election process.
+GOI reopens Palestinian Chamber of Commerce and other closed Palestinian institutions in East Jerusalem based on a commitment that these institutions operate strictly in accordance with prior agreements between the parties.
Humanitarian Response
+Israel takes measures to improve the humanitarian situation. Israel and Palestinians implement in full all recommendations of the Bertini report to improve humanitarian conditions, lifting curfews and easing restrictions on movement of persons and goods, and allowing full, safe, and unfettered access of international and humanitarian personnel.
+AHLC reviews the humanitarian situation and prospects for economic development in the West Bank and Gaza and launches a major donor assistance effort, including to the reform effort.
+GOI and PA continue revenue clearance process and transfer of funds, including arrears, in accordance with agreed, transparent monitoring mechanism.
Civil Society
+Continued donor support, including increased funding through PVOs/NGOs, for people to people programs, private sector development and civil society initiatives.
Settlements
+GOI immediately dismantles settlement outposts erected since March 2001.
+Consistent with the Mitchell Report, GOI freezes all settlement activity (including natural growth of settlements).
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