Qtec
04-14-2004, 08:40 PM
[ QUOTE ]
WASHINGTON (CNN) -- President Bush endorsed an Israeli plan Wednesday to pull back from Gaza and part of the West Bank, but denied the United States was taking sides in the long-running Israeli-Palestinian conflict.
At a White House news briefing following a meeting with Israeli Prime Minister Ariel Sharon, Bush said "realities on the ground" dictated that Israel should be able to keep some settlements in any future peace agreement.
Bush praised Sharon for his withdrawal proposal.
"These are historic and courageous actions," Bush said. "If all parties choose to embrace this moment, they can open the door to progress and put an end to one of the world's longest-running conflicts."
Bush also embraced Sharon's position that Palestinian refugees should be allowed to return to a new Palestinian state but not to Israel.
Sharon's government proposes a "disengagement" plan that includes a provision for Israel to pull out all Jewish settlements and troops from Gaza and all but six blocs of Jewish settlements from the West Bank.
Palestinian chief negotiator Saeb Erakat that allowing some Israeli settlements to remain in the West Bank would be "a severe blow to the peace process."
"I don't think that Israelis should be rewarded [for] illegal practices of stealing Palestinian land," Erakat said in Ramallah, West Bank.
Sharon said he had gained from his talks with Bush.
"What I've learned from my visit here is that the plan -- disengagement plan -- contributes to the security of Israel, contributes to the political situation of Israel in the world and helps our economy," Sharon said.
In advance of the White House meeting, Palestinian Authority officials warned that a Bush endorsement of Sharon's plan would be a "dangerous" development.
<hr /></blockquote>
Sharon knows that the Palestinians will never accept Jewish settlements inside the West bank as part of a peace deal.
If GW gives Sharon what he wants, it will be a disaster for the troops in Iraq.
If GW wants to get rid of terrorism, he has to be fair ,he has to be just.
I dont think any Palestinian or Arab will see this other than a kick in the teeth.
Q
WASHINGTON (CNN) -- President Bush endorsed an Israeli plan Wednesday to pull back from Gaza and part of the West Bank, but denied the United States was taking sides in the long-running Israeli-Palestinian conflict.
At a White House news briefing following a meeting with Israeli Prime Minister Ariel Sharon, Bush said "realities on the ground" dictated that Israel should be able to keep some settlements in any future peace agreement.
Bush praised Sharon for his withdrawal proposal.
"These are historic and courageous actions," Bush said. "If all parties choose to embrace this moment, they can open the door to progress and put an end to one of the world's longest-running conflicts."
Bush also embraced Sharon's position that Palestinian refugees should be allowed to return to a new Palestinian state but not to Israel.
Sharon's government proposes a "disengagement" plan that includes a provision for Israel to pull out all Jewish settlements and troops from Gaza and all but six blocs of Jewish settlements from the West Bank.
Palestinian chief negotiator Saeb Erakat that allowing some Israeli settlements to remain in the West Bank would be "a severe blow to the peace process."
"I don't think that Israelis should be rewarded [for] illegal practices of stealing Palestinian land," Erakat said in Ramallah, West Bank.
Sharon said he had gained from his talks with Bush.
"What I've learned from my visit here is that the plan -- disengagement plan -- contributes to the security of Israel, contributes to the political situation of Israel in the world and helps our economy," Sharon said.
In advance of the White House meeting, Palestinian Authority officials warned that a Bush endorsement of Sharon's plan would be a "dangerous" development.
<hr /></blockquote>
Sharon knows that the Palestinians will never accept Jewish settlements inside the West bank as part of a peace deal.
If GW gives Sharon what he wants, it will be a disaster for the troops in Iraq.
If GW wants to get rid of terrorism, he has to be fair ,he has to be just.
I dont think any Palestinian or Arab will see this other than a kick in the teeth.
Q