TRANSCRIPT - President George W. Bush Middle East statement, April 4, 2001

MSNBC ^ | 4-4-02 | George W. Bush

[AmericanInTokyo]

Spin this.

(White House Press transcript from another conference, December 4th, with the important unanswered questions):

"In addition to developing this information, the FBI is accompanying Treasury personnel to various Holy Land Foundation sites around the country to conduct voluntary interviews with employees and to help secure the facilities, pursuant to the Treasury Department's lawful actions.

I'm grateful for this opportunity and thank the president and the secretary of the Treasury.

President Bush: Thank you all.

(Cross talk.)

Question: I have a question about Israel. Do you think Yasser Arafat harbors Hamas and other terrorist groups?

Question: Should the PLO be treated like the Taliban? Should the PLO be treated like the Taliban, sir?

(No audible replies.)

Question: He's walking away." END OF CONFERENCE

[EricT.]

"The chairman of the Palestinian Authority has not consistently opposed or confronted terrorists. At Oslo and elsewhere, Chairman Arafat renounced terror as an instrument of his cause, and he agreed to control it. He’s not done so. The situation in which he finds himself today is largely of his own making. He’s missed his opportunities and thereby betrayed the hopes of the people he is supposed to lead."

"As Israel steps back, responsible Palestinian leaders and Israel’s Arab neighbors must step forward and show the world that they are truly on the side of peace."

I notice that Bush first lays out that Arafat didn't do anything about terror, and does not mention him in any future dealings with the Palestinians. Is this the green light to rid us of this thug?

[finnman69]

What's ole Semenstain thinking that CNN is reporting the IDF has the smoking gun on Arafart. So Semenstain knows he had a terrorist come into the White House. Nice legacy.

[CyberAnt]

"speech not terribly helpful"

I disagree! I think it puts the blame exactly where it belongs - on Arafat! If Israel starts a pullout and Arafat doesn't stop the terrorist attacks, it will be a clear signal that Arafat doesn't want peace - which we already know, but this time the world will be watching. I think this was a very pivitol speech as far as dealing with Arafat is concerned. I'm sure Bush wants the violence to stop - but I'm even more sure Bush is committed to Israel whatever Israel decides to do.

[Jeremiah Jr]

Sorry about the scorched e-mail.

I apologize, so here's one of my favorite study sites.

http://yashanet.com/studies/revstudy/background.htm

Shhhhh, don't tell the pharisees here, they think they understand Revelation!

Thanks and God bless...

[Jeremiah Jr]

David Lee Roth is singing 'Just a Gigolo' on the radio...

[ClancyJ]

Arafat is firmly on the side of the terrorists, and the longer official U.S. policy ignores that, the worse off the Middle East will be.

Don't you think Bush knows that Arafat is supporting terrorism? He is merely publicly allowing him a face saving measure to stand up and lead his people in the right direction and show that he was never involved in supporting terrorism - it was all a big misunderstanding.

This is the only solution possible at this time and it will probably not work but will buy a little time and a breather to allow things to cool down.

[WOSG]

Great statement. Went very hard against terrorists, without mincing words ...

[sonrise57]

bump