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.''
The statements are not in conflict, though some might try to make them appear to be. The statement that "shooting the moon" arguably could have escalated the violence is accurate. Saying impeached42 tried to establish peace in the Middle East is accurate, too...it conveniently leaves out the "why" impeached42 was doing what he did. And so, the Bush administration wisely has it on record that Clinton helped escalate the violence (something the sycophant press would never say) and a statement that Clinton did try and bring about peace. :)
Pretty smart, if you ask me.
That's kinda what I was thinking. It's not Bush's style to attack, but he has shown no reluctance to react to BS like this. . .
Scratch Plan A-Enron is of the page.
Scratch Plan B - The Economy is off the page.
Plan C ?- Call Bush a poopy head ?
It's always a shame when Republicans lack the courage of their convictions.
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.
It's the truth. Now, if he had any REAL guts he could place a big portion of the blame for 9/11 on Clinton as well. Clinton SHOULD HAVE gotten bin Laden after the bombing of the USS Cole - but he wimped out.
``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.''
US Presidents, especially Clinton, who did everything they could to legitimize terrorists like Yasir Arafat, ARE PARTIALLY TO BLAME.
``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.''
I find it amazing that these leftist scum still believe there is a "peace process". Man...will they ever have any grasp of reality?
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.''
Hundreds of Jewish people are enjoying the "peace" Clinton helped bring to the ME - and they are mourned by the living.
This is 100% planned to spotlight clintoon and don't think it's not !
No way was this just a casual remark that Ari made off the cuff. No way.
Out of curiosity.
What group is this "plan" being played to?
Who's opinion is this supposed to sway?
It looks like the Democrats have decided that they need to bring Bush's popularity down by any means. The polls show the Democrats to be in dire straights. I think they decided they have nothing to lose by attacking a popular President.
Besides, if there is one United States President to blame for the whole Middle East issue, its none other than President Truman.
BIG mistake. Never, but never, but NEVER apologize/express regrets to a liberal in the wrong.
Something's up, and I believe it is President Bush trying to be the nice guy -- offering everyone the opportunity to play "nice nice" together, rather than giving that piranha, Clinton, any MORE ammunition to shoot his mouth off with.
Ari IS VERY SMART, and chooses his words carefully... something is up, I tell you, and the White House is positioning. This White House, unlike the last, plans ahead for upcoming issues, as well. They do not back-peddle.
The chances that there is something around the corner are much more likely than this being a simple apology for the past.
I'll guess I'll respond on behalf of the vast right wing spinsters.
The point as I see it is to inject fat red nose back into the mix of the Middle East problem. The story that will be carried is the "controversy" surrounding his comments which will give the story more prominence. The target group is the sheeple who still don't receive Fox News and it is intended to remind them that the Big Creep made a big deal out of his legacy-building "peace" efforts and has squat to show for it.
Simply getting the press talking about Clinton in relation to the Middle East recalls his foreign policy failures and again gets people comparing this president to the former president. When this occurs, Bush wins every time.
regards
I don't
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