Bush says Mideast peace needs tough sacrifices by Laurent Lozano MAY 18,08
SHARM EL-SHEIKH, Egypt (AFP) - US President George W. Bush wrapped up a regional tour on Sunday saying peace in the Middle East was possible by the end of the year but that it required tough sacrifices. In a speech to an economic forum in Egypt, Bush also again took aim at archfoe Iran over its nuclear drive and criticised the nations of the region over the lack of political freedom and human rights.I firmly believe that with leadership and courage, we can reach that peace agreement this year... This is a demanding task, and it requires action on all sides, he said.
Palestinians must fight terror and continue to build the institutions of a free and peaceful society. Israel must make tough sacrifices for peace and ease restrictions on Palestinians.Bush has faced Arab scepticism over the chances of Israeli-Palestinian peace with negotiations so far failing to make any visible progress -- and Arab anger over perceived bias towards the Jewish state.The president began his tour in Israel where he addressed parliament to mark the state's 60th anniversary, hailing US ties with its staunch ally and making only brief mention of Palestinian statehood aspirations.Bush's speech in front of the Knesset angered us, Palestinian president Mahmud Abbas told reporters in the Red Sea resort of Sharm el-Sheikh during the Middle East World Economic Forum.We don't want the Americans to negotiate on our behalf... All that we want from them... is a mininum level of neutrality, Abbas said. We have asked that the American position be balanced.On Saturday, the US leader pledged his determination to help achieve the dream of a Palestinian state but Abbas spokesman Nabil Abu Rudeina laid the blame for the slow pace of negotiations on Israel, saying: What Bush dreams should be implemented on the ground.We said very clearly we are seeing progress, US National Security Adviser Stephen Hadley told reporters, hinting the president could visit the region for a third time this year.But we are not at the point where the president is going to have a meeting with president Abbas and (Israeli) Prime Minister (Ehud) Olmert to try to declare a vision.
Mubarak told the WEF that any peace deal must meet Palestinian demands.Anyone who believes that cover will be provided for an agreement that does not fulfill the demands of (the Palestinians) is mistaken.In his speech, Bush called on the world to prevent Tehran from obtaining the nuclear bomb and to isolate Iran and its ally Syria.Every peaceful nation in the region has an interest in stopping these nations from supporting terrorism, Bush said.To allow the world's leading sponsor of terror to gain the world's deadliest weapon would be an unforgivable betrayal of future generations. For the sake of peace, the world must not allow Iran to have a nuclear weapon.OPEC member Iran has repeatedly denied seeking the atomic bomb and says its nuclear programme is aimed solely at generating energy.Bush also called on regional states to confront Palestinian Islamist group Hamas, which is attempting to undermine efforts at peace with continued acts of terror and violence.Israel is mulling possible action against the Hamas-ruled Gaza Strip to try to end militant rocket attacks, although Egypt is trying to mediate a truce. Bush urged Middle East nations to oppose the Shiite movement Hezbollah in Lebanon, where fighting this month between pro- and anti-government forces killed 65 people and pushed the country to the brink of civil war. We must stand with the people of Lebanon in their struggle to build a sovereign and independent democracy. This means opposing Hezbollah terrorists, funded by Iran, who recently revealed their true intentions by taking up arms against the Lebanese people.Feuding Lebanese leaders are holding talks in Qatar aimed at ending the crisis but have faltered over the issue of Hezbollah weapons.
Bush also chided Middle East states for their repression of democratic activists and called for the release of political prisoners, in comments likely to embarrass host Egypt, which Washington has repeatedly criticised for the state of its human rights. The time has come for nations across the Middle East to abandon these practices, and treat their people with the dignity and respect they deserve.The three-day WEF brings together 1,500 people, including heads of state, business leaders and ministers from 55 countries.
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Olmert says Israel very close to decision on Gaza by Ron Bousso MAY 18,08
JERUSALEM (AFP) - Israeli Prime Minister Ehud Olmert said on Sunday that Israel was very close to deciding on what action to take to stop continued rocket attacks by militants from the Hamas-run Gaza Strip.
Under no circumstances can we allow the situation in the south (of Israel) to continue the way it has in recent months, and the crossroads on a decision on how things will be handled is very close, Olmert said at the weekly cabinet meeting.He declined to elaborate, amid calls from some ministers for Israel to launch a widescale assault on Gaza to crush Palestinians militants, who fired a rocket at a shopping mall in southern Israel on Wednesday while US President George W Bush was in the country.Bush, who is on a five-day trip to the region, on Sunday again accused the Islamist movement which seized power in Gaza nearly a year ago of pursuing a policy of terror.All nations in the region must stand together in confronting Hamas, which is attempting to undermine efforts at peace with continued acts of terror and violence, Bush said in a speech in Egypt.Bush also said the peace process would require tough sacrifices by Israel, while US National Security Adviser Stephen Hadley hinted Bush could make a third trip to the region this year to push for a deal before he leaves office in January.
The Palestinians however expressed anger on Sunday about the US leader's perceived bias towards Israel in a speech to the Knesset in Jerusalem this week.We don't want the Americans to negotiate on our behalf... All that we want from them... is a mininum level of neutrality, said Palestinian president Mahmud Abbas, who met Bush at the Egyptian Red Sea resort of Sharm El-Sheikh on Saturday.
Meanwhile, Israeli Defence Minister Ehud Barak is due in Egypt on Monday for talks with President Hosni Mubarak, whose country has been mediating a possible Gaza truce. Israel refuses direct contact with Hamas which it considers a terrorist organisation.Several ministers in Israel's security cabinet have said they favour a large-scale military operation against Hamas.But according to the Haaretz newspaper, several former Israeli army and security officials have told the government they support indirect talks with Hamas and oppose any major assault on Gaza.Recognising that ending the Hamas regime in Gaza is not a realistic goal and that reinstating Fatah in the Gaza Strip by means of Israeli bayonets is not desirable... non-public negotiations should take place with Hamas through Egypt or anyone else acceptable to both sides, they wrote in a letter to Olmert.Signatories included ex-Mossad head Ephraim Halevi, former army chief Amnon Lipkin-Shahak and the former commander of Israeli troops in Gaza, Shmuel Zakai.Hamas, meanwhile, has said it is sending delegations to Egypt on Monday and Tuesday for a new round of talks on a possible truce.In exchange for stopping rocket attacks, Hamas has said it wants Israel to lift a punishing blockade of Gaza and reopen border crossings, especially Rafah on the border with Egypt.Israel has demanded an end to both rocket attacks and arms smuggling from Egypt's Sinai peninsula, and progress in negotiations to release Israeli soldier Gilad Shalit, captured by Palestinian militants in 2006.On Sunday Hamas leader Ismail Haniya in Gaza reiterated the Islamists' demand that 450 Palestinian prisoners must be released in exchange for Shalit.
We are more concerned about closing this case than the occupier (Israel), and it could be done very quickly if the occupier agrees to the demands of the Palestinian people, Haniya said. The fate of Shalit has become a major sticking point in truce negotiations. Gilad Shalit has become a deal breaker, an Israeli official told AFP on Sunday. If he returns home it would be much easier to reach a truce. But without Shalit I cannot see Israel adopting a truce agreement.
Bush reassures Abbas on dream of Palestinian state by Laurent Lozano Sat May 17, 3:47 PM ET
SHARM EL-SHEIKH, Egypt (AFP) - US President George W. Bush on Saturday pledged to Palestinian leader Mahmud Abbas his determination to help achieve the dream of a Palestinian state, despite stagnant peace talks. I commit to you once again that my government will help achieve a dream, a dream that you have, and the truth of matter is, a dream that the Israelis have, which is two states living side by side in peace, Bush told Abbas.President Abbas, who met Bush in Egypt to brief him on the state of talks with Israel, said he was working seriously and very aggressively with the hope that we will be able to achieve this objective before the end of the year.However, Abbas spokesman Nabil Abu Rudeina later laid the blame for the slow pace of negotiations squarely on Israel, saying that what Bush dreams should be implemented on the ground.Seeing is believing. We have to see tangible Israeli steps on the ground so that we can convince our people that things are going in the right direction, Abu Rudeina told AFP.He pointed to the fact that despite US pledges to help broker a deal by the end of Bush's term in January, all final status issues remain unresolved, saying time is running out.What we are looking for is not just a definition of a state, we need to start implementing an agreement leading to a state, Abu Rudeina said after Bush declared that we can get a state defined by the end of my presidency.
We need an agreement so we can start implementing, otherwise talking about the definition of a state is good, but not enough.
Israel and the Palestinians resumed peace talks at a US-hosted meeting in November, committing themselves to a target of reaching a deal by the time Bush leaves office. So far, they have made virtually no visible progress.In particular, Abu Rudeina criticised the ongoing construction of Jewish settlements in the occupied West Bank.There should be quick agreement on all core issues before the end of the year otherwise ... the whole region will be facing chaos and troubles.Bush, who is in the Egyptian Red Sea resort of Sharm el-Sheikh for talks with world leaders before addressing the Middle East World Economic Forum, said it breaks my heart to see the vast potential of the Palestinian people really wasted.Bush and Abbas also voiced concern about the situation in Lebanon, where fighting last week between pro- and anti-government forces killed 65 people and pushed the country to the brink of new civil war.It is clear that Hezbollah, which has been funded by Iran, can no longer justify its position as a defender against Israel when it turns on its own people, Bush said.Feuding Lebanese political leaders opened Arab-brokered talks in Qatar earlier Saturday aimed at ending the crisis, which has prevented the election of a president since November.It is very important for us that the entire Arab region will be living in stability in order to be able to achieve peace in our Palestinian territory, Abbas said, adding that US and Palestinian objectives were the same.Bush arrived in Egypt on Saturday from regional powerhouse Saudi Arabia and went straight into talks with President Hosni Mubarak and Afghan President Hamid Karzai, before his meeting with Abbas.In Saudi, Bush sought but failed to obtain a significant increase in oil output. A Saudi official told AFP talks with Saudi King Abdullah also focused on the Palestinian issue and Middle East peace.
King Abdullah underlined the need for the United States to exert more efforts to prompt Israel to reach results in the negotiations with the Palestinians conducive to the establishment of an independent Palestinian state, the official said. The president began his tour in Israel to join in celebrating the 60th anniversary of the country's founding. Israeli Prime Minister Ehud Olmert had been mooted to attend the economic forum but with little Middle East peace progress to justify a three-way summit, Defence Minister Ehud Barak and Foreign Minister Tzipi Livni will lead the Israeli delegation instead. The WEF meeting, dubbed the Davos of the Middle East, will bring together 1,500 people, including heads of state, business leaders and ministers from 55 countries, under the theme learning from the future.Bush is due to meet Jordan's King Abdullah and Pakistani Prime Minister Prime Minister Yousuf Raza Gilani on Sunday.
Bush says Lebanon faces defining moment Sat May 17, 12:02 PM ET
SHARM EL-SHEIKH (Reuters) - U.S. President George W. Bush said on Saturday Lebanon was facing a defining moment and pledged that the United States would stand by the pro-Western government of Prime Minister Fouad Siniora against Hezbollah. Speaking to reporters on a visit to Sharm el-Sheikh, Bush accused radical elements of trying to undermine the Lebanese government. It's a defining moment, he said.(Reporting by Matt Spetalnick; editing by Keith Weir)
Bin Laden says Palestinian cause at heart of jihad By MAGGIE MICHAEL, Associated Press Writer Fri May 16, 4:53 PM ET
CAIRO, Egypt - Osama bin Laden vowed Friday to fight Israel for the liberation of the Palestinians, claiming their cause is at the heart of al-Qaida's holy war with the West. The terrorist leader's third statement this year was released to coincide with the Jewish state's 60th anniversary and came out as President Bush was wrapping up his visit to Israel to celebrate the occasion.We will continue our struggle against the Israelis and their allies, bin Laden said in a 10-minute audio posted on an Internet site used frequently by al-Qaida. We are not going to give up an inch of the land of Palestine.Al-Qaida is increasingly using the Israeli-Arab conflict in its media campaign to rally supporters. Israel has warned of growing al-Qaida activity in Palestinian territory, although the terror network is not believed to have taken a strong role there so far.Bin Laden said the Palestinian cause is the most important factor driving al-Qaida's war with the West and claimed it was the motivation for the 19 Muslims, most of them Saudi Arabians, who carried out the Sept. 11 attack on the U.S.To Western nations ... this speech is to understand the core reason of the war between our civilization and your civilizations. I mean the Palestinian cause, bin Laden said at the conclusion of his message.
The Palestinian cause is the major issue for my (Islamic) nation. It was an important element in fueling me from the beginning and the 19 others with a great motive to fight for those subjected to injustice and the oppressed, he said.The authenticity of the message could not be verified, but the voice resembled the one in past bin Laden audios. While there was no indication of when the message was recorded, it referred to Israel's 60th anniversary, which began May 8.The audio was accompanied by a photo of bin Laden wearing a white robe and turban next to a picture of the Al Aqsa mosque in Jerusalem. It was unclear when his picture was taken.
The al-Qaida leader said Western media have tried to brainwash people about Israel over the past 60 years, portraying the Jewish invaders, the occupiers of our land, as the victims, while it portrayed us as the terrorists.Sixty years ago, the Israeli state didn't exist. Instead, it was established on the land of Palestine raped by force, he said. Israelis are occupying invaders whom we should fight.Israeli Foreign Ministry spokesman Arye Mekel dismissed bin Laden's message.We do not relate or pay attention to the words of this terrorist lunatic, he said. The time has come for him to be apprehended and pay for his crimes.Bin Laden is believed to be hiding somewhere in the rugged mountains along the Pakistan-Afghan border.The al-Qaida chief criticized Western leaders such as Bush who participated in Israel's 60th anniversary celebrations.
Bush feted Israel on Thursday and predicted its 120th birthday would find it alongside a Palestinian state in an all-democratic neighborhood free of today's oppression, restrictions on freedom and extremist Muslim movements.Bin Laden said Western leaders were insincere in their expressed desire for Israeli-Palestinian peace and failed to criticize Israel.Peace talks that started 60 years ago are just meant to deceive the idiots, he said. After all the destruction and the killings ... your leaders talk about principles. This is unbearable.The terrorist leader mentioned former Israeli Prime Minister Menachem Begin, whose Jewish militia participated in an attack on the Arab village of Deir Yassin, near Jerusalem, in 1948. More than 100 Arabs died in the fighting and other villagers fled. Arabs contend the raid helped sow widespread fear, which they say was a factor in the displacment of hundreds of thousands of Palestinians during the war that created Israel.
Instead of punishing him (Begin) over his crimes ... he was awarded a Nobel prize, bin Laden said. Begin shared the Nobel Peace Prize with Egyptian President Anwar Sadat for negotiating a 1979 peace treaty between their countries, Israel's first with an Arab nation.
Bin Laden's message followed an audio released in March in which he lashed out at Palestinian peace negotiations with Israel. That audio was the first time bin Laden spoke of the Palestinian question at length since the deteriorating situation in the Hamas-controlled Gaza Strip, where the Israeli military has been fighting with militants who fire rockets into southern Israel.
Bush leaves Israel, heads to Saudi on Mideast tour Fri May 16, 5:08 AM ET
TEL AVIV (Reuters) - President George W. Bush ended a three-day visit to Israel on Friday and headed for Saudi Arabia, where he will continue a tour of the Middle East. The president and First Lady Laura Bush flew out of Tel Aviv's Ben-Gurion Airport after a morning at a Jerusalem museum, where they viewed artifacts from the time of biblical writings and chatted with young Israelis about hopes for peace.
