Posted on 08/07/2006 7:05:37 AM PDT by presidio9
As the war between Israel and Lebanon enters its fifth week, former President of the United States of America, Jimmy Carter has criticised President George W Bush’s policy in the Middle East describing it as "erroneous". In an interview with the press in the US, Carter stated that an immediate cease-fire is needed to end the conflict between Israel and Lebanon but also expressed doubt that the Bush administration is capable of achieving it. He said, "It depends on whether world opinion is strong enough to get the administration to change its erroneous policy, which has been to encourage the continuation of attacks on both sides." The former President did not mince words when he said the US under Bush’s regime is Israel’s worst ally. "In my opinion, maybe the worst ally Israel has had in Washington has been the George W. Bush administration, which hasn't worked to bring a permanent peace to Israel," he said. Carter who helped broker the Camp David Peace Accord, the first of its kind between Israel and an Arab Nation said a cease-fire is not enough to quell the unrest in the troubled region. He stressed the importance of a long-term solution and called on the international community to focus on sustainable peace. Commenting on the situation in Iraq, Carter advised that US troops be withdrawn from the country not later than end of the year. "In my opinion, we should make every effort now to withdraw American troops from Iraq. I would say certainly begin a major withdrawal no later than the end of this year," he stated. Meanwhile, fierce fighting has continued between Israeli forces and Hezbollah in Southern Lebanon. Hezbollah attacks yesterday killed 10 Israelis in the northern part of the country, wounding at least 15 people. It is believed to be the heaviest rocket attack on Israel so far. Last week, Hezbollah fired a record 132 rockets into northern Israel, prompting a raid aimed at pushing the militants away from the border. An Israeli raid also killed about eight Lebanese. A United Nations (UN) draft to end the conflict has demanded that both sides in the conflict halt attacks immediately. However, the wording of the text which allows Israel to defend itself in the event of fresh attacks, and is yet to be finalised, is already causing ripples among Arab nations that view it as pro-Israel. The US Ambassador to the UN, John Bolton said, "the immediate cessation by Hezbollah of all attacks and the immediate cessation by Israel of all offensive military actions". The UN force currently in Lebanon is also expected to monitor any cease-fire. Israeli cabinet minister Isaac Herzog described the text as an "important development," while a Lebanese envoy to the UN, Nouhad Mahmoud, said "we would have liked to see our concerns more reflected in the text."
"Oh yeah, the second or third biggest failure of a president ever condems a policy necessary because of his own failures. Carter sucked really bad as pres, but his middle east poilicy was probably his biggest single shortcoming. "
This is putting it mildly..very mildly...
We must be doing something right if ex-Pres. "I never met a tyrant I didn't love" Carter doesn't like our policies.
His mom, Miz Lillian had the biggest boobs in the country..
Carter: 5th columnist, terrorist supporter.
Hey Jimmah, does 444 days ring a bell?
BWAHAHAHAHA! And your middle east policy was awesome Jimmy /sarc.
How does this guy keep from kicking out those big teeth when swinging both feet into his mouth.
Bush-43
Clinton-42
Bush-41
Reagan-40
Carter-444
Ford-38
Nixon-37
Who cares what he [Carter] thinks or says?
As a former US President, Carter should just STFU if he can't support the present administration.
He never had one in the first place.
All this from the man, Jimmy Carter, who is responsible for the rise of islamic terrorism by his failure to deal with Iran in 1979.
I seem to remember a Jimmy Carter from a few years back. If my memory is correct, he's somehow related to a guy named Billy Carter, who got into the brewing business with 'Billy's Beer'. Isn't that like some of these red-neck liberals? They try to ride on the coattails of their famous relatives. If Billy's smart, he'll pay Jimmy off to get him out of his hair!
Carter is the poster boy for irony....
I refer to the "Misery Index" concept that he used against Ford in his presidential campaign...and then went on to prove himself the most "miserable" president, BY HIS OWN STANDARD.
Shut up and build some HUD homes, Jimmah.
This paragraphless article really sums up how completely wrong and how completely clueless Carter is. However, think about it, is Carter saying anything different than any other Democrat today?
Yeah, elect a Democrat and watch the world go ka-boom under Islam!
Carter Condemns US Middle East Policy
Remind me again why I should be suprised at this.
What we have here is a Dog Bites Man story.
Jimmah wants his enemies' enemies to win. He still could run for president again, right?
Why isn't Carter over there negotiating peace?
Carter is a totaly discredited president ESPECIALLY hwne it comes to foreign policy. His idiotic policies are what gave the a radical regime in Iran.
Disclaimer: Opinions posted on Free Republic are those of the individual posters and do not necessarily represent the opinion of Free Republic or its management. All materials posted herein are protected by copyright law and the exemption for fair use of copyrighted works.