Bush optimistic about emergence of a peaceful Palestinian state
Palestine-USA, Politics, 8/15/2005

Israel's disengagement from Gaza is a key to the future security of Israel and will create an opportunity for the Palestinians to begin laying the foundations of a peaceful, democratic state, according to President Bush.

Under the plan, Israel will remove settlers and military installations from the Gaza strip and four villages in the northern West Bank between August 15 and 17 in what will be the first ever withdrawal of permanent Israeli settlements from the Palestinian territories.

In an interview with Israeli television August 11, Bush hailed Israeli Prime Minister Ariel Sharon's decision to move ahead with the disengagement as a bold and promising departure from the past.

"[T]he previous system wasn't working. I mean, there was an intifada, there was death, there was killing. And if you notice, there's been a calm in attacks. One attack is too many, but there's been fewer attacks. And I think in the long run, two states living side-by-side in peace is the ultimate solution for Israeli's security," Bush said.

Bush expressed confidence in Palestinian Authority President Mahmoud Abbas' understanding of what must be done in order to carry the Palestinians forward to statehood. "He knows that a democracy can't exist so long as you've got armed groups willing to take law in their own hands. And he's committed to a democratic state," he said.

The president stressed that all parties have obligations in the context of the Gaza withdrawal: Israel to ensure a peaceful withdrawal, the Palestinians to maintain control over terrorist groups, and the Arab states to provide political and financial support to the Palestinians as they work to build the basis of a peaceful, prosperous state in Gaza.

Regarding the Palestinians' obligation to fight terrorism, he noted that dismantling terrorist organizations is a process that cannot simply be achieved by disarming and isolating terrorists. He said it is necessary to provide hope to the Palestinians and the Israelis that a peaceful, democratic state can emerge.

Bush expressed optimism that such an outcome can be achieved. "Here's what I see," he said. "I see relations with a peaceful Palestinian state... that is founded on democratic institutions. That's what I believe can happen and should happen. I mean, in order to ultimately defeat terror -- whether it be in Palestinian territories or Iraq or Iran -- there must be open, transparent societies based upon rule of law."

Previous Stories:
  Abbas briefs Rice on withdrawal from Gaza developments   (8/12/2005)
  Presbyterians support church decision to divest of companies harming Palestinians   (8/8/2005)
  US Church considers divesting from corporations tied to violence against Palestinians   (8/6/2005)

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