|
Bush Restates Conditional Support for Palestinian State
WASHINGTON, Oct 11 (News Agencies) - President George W. Bush on Thursday reiterated his support for a Palestinian state as long as it recognizes Israel's right to exist and said he was taking "seriously" Syria's offer to help in the global war on terrorism.
"I believe there ought to be a Palestinian state, the boundaries of which will be negotiated by the parties so long as the Palestinian state recognizes the right of Israel to exist, and will treat Israel with respect, and will be peaceful on her borders," Bush said in his first prime-time nationally televised press conference.
Last week, Bush and Secretary of State Colin Powell said a Palestinian state had always been part of their vision for the Middle East, triggering an angry response from Israeli Prime Minister Ariel Sharon.
Critics saw the endorsement of a Palestinian state as a bid to enlist Arab and Muslim backing in the anti-terror coalition targeting Afghanistan's ruling Taliban and Osama bin Laden, who has championed the Palestinian cause.
The U.S. endorsement of a Palestinian state has been welcomed by Arab countries but prompted alarm in Israel where officials said they believed it could be seen as a victory for Laden, the Saudi dissident Washington says was behind the September 11th attacks.
Asked whether he would consider meeting with Palestinian leader Yasser Arafat, Bush replied: "If I am convinced that a meeting with a particular party at this point in time will further the process, I will do so. If it turns out to be an empty photo opportunity that creates expectations that will become dashed, I won't meet."
In a wide-ranging press conference held exactly a month after the devastating attacks on New York and Washington, he again hailed Arafat's efforts to "control the radical elements within the Palestinian Authority."
He was alluding to the crackdown by Arafat's security forces on Palestinians who expressed opposition to the U.S. airstrikes on Afghanistan.
"I hope he [Arafat]'s taking measures necessary to reduce the violence in the Middle East so that we can get into the Mitchell process," Bush said.
He was referring to the peace plan proposed by former U.S. senator George Mitchell, which calls for a ceasefire and a cooling-off period to be followed by confidence-building measures between Israelis and Palestinians.
Turning to Syria's offer to assist in the U.S.-led global campaign against terrorism, Bush said he was taking it seriously.
"The Syrians have talked to us about how they can help in the war against terrorism," the U.S. leader said. "We take that - we take that seriously and we'll give them an opportunity to do so."
Syria, a country listed by Washington as a state sponsor of terrorism, was elected Monday to the Security Council as a non-permanent member for a two-year term.
Washington then made it clear that Syria's election to the council would not change U.S. policy towards Damascus and said it would continue to voice concern "regarding terrorism with the Syrian government."
"We are sending a signal to the world as we speak that if you harbor a terrorist, there will be a price to pay," Bush warned.
"There are nations in the world that have - that have expressed a desire to help," he said, referring to Syria. "I believe in results. And if you want to join the coalition against terror, we'll welcome you in."
Bush also described Iraqi leader Saddam Hussein as an "evil man" whom the United States is watching carefully.
"There is no question the leader of Iraq is an evil man. After all, he gassed his own people. We know he's been developing weapons of mass destruction," he added. "We're watching him carefully."
|
