Posted on 02/28/2002 1:20:56 PM PST by BigTime
WASHINGTON (Reuters) - White House spokesman Ari Fleischer said on Thursday he regretted suggesting that former U.S. President Bill Clinton's push for a Middle East peace deal was to blame for the last 17 months of violence in the region.
Earlier on Thursday, Fleischer suggested that Clinton's ''shoot the moon'' effort to broker an Israeli-Palestinian peace deal before leaving office was responsible for the strife in which nearly 1,200 people have died since September 2000.
While he did not cite Clinton by name, Fleischer alluded to the former president's July 2000 drive at Camp David to broker a deal between Palestinian President Yasser Arafat and former Israeli Prime Minister Ehud Barak.
``I mistakenly suggested that increasing violence in the Middle East was attributable to the peace efforts that were under way in 2000,'' Fleischer said in a rare written statement that expressed regret for his earlier remarks.
Fleischer said his earlier comments did not reflect the position of the administration and said his boss, President Bush , supported Clinton's efforts to bring about a comprehensive peace in the Middle East.
``No United States president, including President Clinton, is to blame for violence in the Middle East. The only people to blame for violence are the terrorists who engage in it,'' Fleischer said. ``I regret any implication to the contrary.''
Breaking a tradition of not criticizing former presidents, Fleischer earlier suggested that Clinton's efforts had created unrealistic expectations that then boiled over into strife.
``You can make the case that in an attempt to shoot the moon ... more violence resulted,'' Fleischer told reporters during his morning briefing. ``That as a result of an attempt to push the parties beyond where they were willing to go ... it led to expectations that were raised to such a high level that it turned into violence,''
During his afternoon briefing, Fleischer said Clinton ''tried valiantly to achieve peace in the Middle East'' but did not retract his earlier comments. Asked if he stood by his morning remarks, Fleischer said: ``Of course I stand by it.''
A Clinton spokeswoman, speaking before Fleischer issued his statement of regret at midafternoon, dismissed his comments.
``It is unfortunate that the spokesman for the president, in dealing with the Middle East, is trying to pass blame,'' Clinton spokeswoman Julia Payne said. ``They would be better off using their energies to facilitate the peace process.''
A Bush administration official, who spoke after Fleischer issued his statement and asked not to be identified, said: ``We agree completely that President Clinton made tireless, energetic efforts to bring peace to the Middle East.''
If we could only bring the parties together for diversity training like we accomplished with the CIA and armed forces in the US. We can reduce the military buildup. They should loath the military.
Lasting peace will prevail, our legacy will be a century of peace.
That's a summary of the President's day. Helen. Q Ari, why would this administration choose a man for couterterrorism who is so associated with the dark side of the Iran Contra scandal, Admiral Poindexter? MR. FLEISCHER: When you say, choose him for counterterrorism, can you be more specific? Q He's in the Pentagon, he's been appointed head of DARPA, which is a counterterrorist office, developing plans, demonstrations with information. MR. FLEISCHER: I'm not aware of any appointment. Q Yet. MR. FLEISCHER: Let me just say about Admiral Poindexter, Admiral Poindexter is somebody who this administration thinks is an outstanding American and an outstanding citizen who has done a very good job in what he has done for our country, serving in the military. Q How can you say that, when he told Colonel North to lie? MR. FLEISCHER: Helen, I think your views on Iran Contra are well-known, but the President does believe that Admiral Poindexter served -- Q It isn't my view, this is the prosecutor for the United States. MR. FLEISCHER: I understand. The President thinks that Admiral Poindexter has served our nation very well. Q Really? MR. FLEISCHER: That's the President's thoughts. Q Do you know his record? MR. FLEISCHER: I'm sure you will inform me. Q I don't have to, all you have to do is look it up.
We already have the religion of peace--islam.
Maybe. . .or just an overdose of truth and they are trying to shake off the effects.
Of course Ari is right; maybe too right, as they are still slugging off the dirt from 'axis of evil' comments.
Know there is back-bone in WH; just wish they would not try and hide it. . .
The 'axis of evil' is a reality. . .and Ari is right on. . .
The "denial" keeps it IN the news!
Well done!!
Ari is great!!!
The "denial" keeps it IN the news!
Well done!!
Ari is great!!!
100, 100, 100 percent?!!!
My thoughts as well!
It wasn't deliberate or they wouldn't have ended up giving credit to IMP.
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