Bush: Palestinian state always part of US vision
Palestine-USA, Politics, 10/3/2001

US President George W. Bush yesterday said the creation of a Palestinian state had always been part of the United States' vision for the Middle East, but it was vital to first reduce the violence in the region.

"The idea of a Palestinian state has always been a part of a vision, so long as the right of Israel to exist is respected," Bush told reporters meeting with US lawmakers.

He said the United States was working closely with Israel and the Palestinians to end more than a year of bloodshed and enable a return to peace negotiations.

"We are working diligently with both sides to encourage a reduction of violence so that meaningful discussions can take place," he said.

He said the United States still backed a proposal drafted by former Sen. George Mitchell about paving the way for a return to peace negotiations.

He said Mitchell had drafted "a viable blueprint that most of the world agrees with as the necessary path to ultimately solving the problems of the Middle East."

The New York Times reported earlier in the day that the Bush administration had been ready to announce its backing for the creation of a Palestinian state before the Sept. 11 attacks against US targets.

Secretary of State Colin Powell was to have supported the idea in a speech at the United Nations General Assembly, marking the first time a Republican administration has come out in favour of a Palestinian state, the paper reported.

Palestinian officials said they were sceptical about reports in the US media that the Bush administration had been ready to announce its backing for the creation of a Palestinian state before the September 11 attacks.

"Bush can still do it now. It is always the right time for Bush to declare support for a Palestinian state because it will correct a 50-year-old mistake of not helping to establish a Palestinian state next to the Israeli state," senior Palestinian negotiator Saeb Erekat said.

Meanwhile, Israeli police fired rubber bullets and teargas to disperse Palestinian protesters in the West Bank, despite new US pressure on the two sides to end a year of bloodshed.

Confrontations began as hundreds of students and university staff marched in protest against army blockades that have hampered studies at Bir Zeit University near the West Bank city of Ramallah.

At least 10 people had been injured in the confrontations with occupation soldiers. Hospital sources said there were no serious injuries.

Previous Stories:
  Washington against buffer zones in Palestinian territories   (9/11/2001)
  ADC preparing public information campaign on behalf of Palestinians   (9/6/2001)
  ADC urges UN conference to examine racism against Palestinians   (9/1/2001)

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