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Palestinians reject Bush speech
London Telegraph ^ | 6-25-02

Posted on 06/25/2002 9:06:46 AM PDT by SJackson

Palestinian officials have rejected calls by US President George W Bush for a new Palestinian leadership "not compromised by terror".

Mr Bush said in a long-awaited speech on Middle East policy that "reform must be more than cosmetic changes or a veiled attempt to preserve the status quo" if the Palestinians are to fulfil their aspirations for a state alongside Israel. He called on Palestinians to create an accountable, democratic government - something rarely found in the Arab Middle East.

Israeli prime minister Ariel Sharon released a statement saying that "when the Palestinian Authority undergoes genuine reforms and a new leadership takes its place ... it will be possible to discuss ways of moving forward by diplomatic means".

In his own statement, Mr Arafat said the Palestinian leadership welcomed Mr Bush's ideas as a "serious effort to push the peace process forward" and hopes "the details will be discussed during the direct and bilateral meetings with the American administration" and international mediators.

Mr Arafat ignored the call for a leadership change, but senior aides rejected it. Palestinian cabinet minister Saeb Erekat said the call was "not acceptable" and that Mr Arafat "was elected in free and fair elections, and this must be respected".

Mr Bush was seen to be making an implicit demand that Mr Arafat must step down before any US peace-brokering in the region can start.

Israel blames Mr Arafat for the recent suicide bombings and shootings. The US has said that Mr Arafat should have done more to prevent such attacks.

An official spokesman for British Prime Minister Tony Blair said: "We welcome the speech and we welcome the engagement this demonstrates from the US administration.

"It states quite clearly a right to Palestinian statehood within three years on the basis of the 1967 borders, and talks about the right for Israel to exist within those borders."

He added: "We have always said it is for the Palestinian people to choose their own leader.

European Union foreign policy chief Javier Solana welcomed the speech as a sign of "renewed engagement" by Washington, and said that the EU shared Mr Bush's objective of two states living side by side in peace and security

French foreign minister Dominique Galouzeau de Villepin said: "The speech... converges with the aims of France and the European Union, whether it be on the fight against terrorism, a stop to settlement building and an end to occupation."

Egyptian president Hosni Mubarak has called Mr Bush's speech "totally balanced," but said that "some points must be clarified".

Japan's prime minister Junichiro Koizumi said: "There are various difficult points remaining, such as the problem of leaders. I won't go into detail, but I appreciate the peace proposal."


TOPICS: Foreign Affairs; Front Page News; Israel
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1 posted on 06/25/2002 9:06:46 AM PDT by SJackson
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To: SJackson
Its official. The Palestinians have told the President Of The United States in not so many words, "F**k you." And we're told they want peace. Yeah right.
2 posted on 06/25/2002 9:13:15 AM PDT by goldstategop
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To: SJackson
If the terrorists are upset, then he done good.
3 posted on 06/25/2002 9:13:44 AM PDT by Coop
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To: SJackson
Did someone tell them we do not care? It was a conditional position, not some kind of worship and extremist response like theirs.
4 posted on 06/25/2002 9:13:54 AM PDT by lavaroise
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To: lavaroise
Like they think democracy and free markets are beneath them. The Soviets had the same reaction once.
5 posted on 06/25/2002 9:14:59 AM PDT by goldstategop
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To: goldstategop
Mr Arafat ignored the call for a leadership change, but senior aides rejected it. Palestinian cabinet minister Saeb Erekat said the call was "not acceptable" and that Mr Arafat "was elected in free and fair elections, and this must be respected".

No! It does not have to! Worship of elections is not the issue in free nations.

6 posted on 06/25/2002 9:15:24 AM PDT by lavaroise
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To: goldstategop
Their decision. They get to live with the consequences.
7 posted on 06/25/2002 9:16:34 AM PDT by hchutch
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To: SJackson
Anyone catch Alan Keyes last night? He had the PA spokesman, Marwan something on and the guy was beside himself sputtering about how the President had no right to tell the Palestinian people and Arafat what they should do. Of course The Presideent has every right in the world, hell even the responsibility, to tell Sharon what to do...but telling Arafatass what to do is off limits. I loved it...the more angry he became the better I felt.
8 posted on 06/25/2002 9:17:59 AM PDT by pgkdan
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To: SJackson
Then let's stop talking nonsense and fight this war!
9 posted on 06/25/2002 9:18:41 AM PDT by onedoug
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To: SJackson
Uh, like we're supposed to care that the Palis are upset? Screw 'em!
10 posted on 06/25/2002 9:19:22 AM PDT by mhking
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To: pgkdan
Bush has no right telling either what to do. Doing just that is how we got ourselves into this mess to begin with.
11 posted on 06/25/2002 9:20:27 AM PDT by FreeTally
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To: lavaroise
Harrumph. Saddam Hussein was also democratically elected. He's still a thug. Arafart's the same and he has ensured no one can challenge his grip on power. I bet any real competitors simply disappear. The rest are simply his toadies doing his bidding.
12 posted on 06/25/2002 9:21:27 AM PDT by goldstategop
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To: SJackson
They are not the only ones unhappy.

I want the American President to manage "America", and not go out trying to be "President of the World".

Why is the US Government into this "country building" stuff. They haven't got enough problems with their own forest people burning down our country?

13 posted on 06/25/2002 9:21:34 AM PDT by RISU
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To: SJackson
"some points must be clarified".

What part of STOP MURDERING JEWS does he not understand?

14 posted on 06/25/2002 9:23:19 AM PDT by Alouette
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To: SJackson
Publicly, the Palestinians are trashing Bush over this speech... But I wonder what is being said behind closed doors. Also, I'll bet Arafat is watching his six o'clock very closely. What Bush did was very very smart... We've heard in the news for the past 6 months: "Should the Israelis should assassinate Arafat?". Bush handled this brilliantly, though: "If you get rid of Arafat and adopt a stable democracy, you might get your own country." I give him six months - tops.
15 posted on 06/25/2002 9:24:18 AM PDT by TheEngineer
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To: Alouette
No. What part of "your time is over and good bye" does he not understand.
16 posted on 06/25/2002 9:24:56 AM PDT by goldstategop
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To: SJackson

He called on Palestinians to create an accountable, democratic government - something rarely found in the Arab Middle East.

Rare? Name one.

17 posted on 06/25/2002 9:30:32 AM PDT by BruceS
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To: FreeTally
Bush has no right telling either what to do. Doing just that is how we got ourselves into this mess to begin with.

President Bush did not tell either side what to do. Also, "we" aren't into the mess. We are trying to assist both sides in getting past their violent relationship. George W. simply spelled out what's necessary if "we" are to be active in the process. Both can reject what the President has spelled out as conditions of our involvement in helping resolve the conflict IMHO.

18 posted on 06/25/2002 9:35:45 AM PDT by toddst
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To: RISU
"Why is the US Government into this "country building" stuff. They haven't got enough problems with their own forest people burning down our country?"

It just might have something to do with 9/11 where we had Arab terrorists tearing down our WTC and killing almost 3000 American citizens. But, you knew that, didn't you?

19 posted on 06/25/2002 9:36:18 AM PDT by DugwayDuke
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To: BruceS
I think there used to be Lebanon. Its now a satrapy of Syria.
20 posted on 06/25/2002 9:38:05 AM PDT by goldstategop
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