Bush speaks on the current peace crisis

US President George Bush in a statement at the White House April 4 said "During the course of one week, the situation in the Middle East has deteriorated dramatically."

Bush said "Last Wednesday, my Special Envoy, Anthony Zinni, reported to me that we were on the verge of a cease-fire agreement that would have spared Palestinian and Israeli lives. That hope fell away when a terrorist attacked a group of innocent people in a Netanya hotel, killing many men and women in what is a mounting toll of terror."

Bush said "In the days since, the world has watched with growing concern the horror of bombings and burials and the stark picture of tanks in the street. Across the world, people are grieving for Israelis and Palestinians who have lost their lives. When an 18-year-old Palestinian girl is induced to blow herself up, and in the process kills a 17-year-old Israeli girl, the future, itself, is dying -- the future of the Palestinian people and the future of the Israeli people. We mourn the dead, and we mourn the damage done to the hope of peace, the hope of Israel's and the Israelis' desire for a Jewish state at peace with its neighbors; the hope of the Palestinian people to build their own independent state."

Bush said "Terror must be stopped. No nation can negotiate with terrorists. For there is no way to make peace with those whose only goal is death." It is not clear who Bush is refering to as terrorists in this statement -- Arafat, the Palestinian authority or Palestinians people in general -- as the party that Israel is asked to negotiate with.

Bush said that suicide bombers are able to determine Israeli and US policy on peace saying "suicide bombing missions could well blow up the best and only hope for a Palestinian state."

Bush showed concern for the Iraqi children. Millions of Iraqi children have died as a result of the US controlled sanctions. Bush said "Those governments, like Iraq, that reward parents for the sacrifice of their children are guilty of soliciting murder of the worst kind."

Bush said the Palestinians "deserve a government that respects human rights and a government that focuses on their needs," similar to Israel. Worth noting that Israel has been accused by the United Nations and other human rights organizations , again, as recently as this week, of great human rights abuses.

Bush said the Arab states "must truly help the Palestinian people by seeking peace." Worth noting that days ago, all the Arab states called for peace and placed forward a plan for total peace with Israel for Israel implementing UN resolutions in this regard.

Bush said "Israel faces hard choices of its own. Its government has supported the creation of a Palestinian state that is not a haven for terrorism. Yet, Israel also must recognize that such a state needs to be politically and economically viable. Consistent with the Mitchell plan, Israeli settlement activity in occupied territories must stop. And the occupation must end through withdrawal to secure and recognize boundaries consistent with United Nations Resolutions 242 and 338."

Bush said "Israel should also show a respect, a respect for and concern about the dignity of the Palestinian people who are and will be their neighbors. It is crucial to distinguish between the terrorists and ordinary Palestinians seeking to provide for their own families."

Bush said the Israeli government should be "compassionate" at checkpoints and border crossings, sparing innocent Palestinians daily humiliation.

Bush said "America recognizes Israel's right to defend itself from terror," and in the same sentence added "I ask Israel to halt incursions into Palestinian-controlled areas and begin the withdrawal from those cities it has recently occupied."

Bush affirmed "I speak as a committed friend of Israel. I speak out of a concern for its long-term security, a security that will come with a genuine peace." He said "As Israel steps back, responsible Palestinian leaders and Israel's Arab neighbors must step forward and show the world that they are truly on the side of peace." This call is being made by Bush after the presentation by the Arab States of a comprehensive peace plan proposed only days ago.

Bush said "The world finds itself at a critical moment. This is a conflict that can widen or an opportunity we can seize. And so I've decided to send Secretary of State Powell to the region next week to seek broad international support for the vision I've outlined today. As a step in this process, he will work to implement United Nations Resolution 1402." Bush did not outline why the US, being the primary sponsor and drafter of these UN resolutions, has not made these resolutions meaningful by placing in them enforcement mechanisms, to give these resolutions any sense of credibility what-so-ever.

Bush goes on to say he is sending Powell to the region for "an immediate and meaningful cease-fire, an end to terror and violence and incitement; withdrawal of Israeli troops from Palestinian cities, including Ramallah; implementation of the already agreed upon Tenet and Mitchell plans, which will lead to a political settlement."

Bush said "We have no illusions about the difficulty of the issues that lie ahead. Yet, our nation's resolve is strong. America is committed to ending this conflict and beginning an era of peace. We know this is possible, because in our lifetimes we have seen an end to conflicts that no one thought could end. We've seen fierce enemies let go of long histories of strife and anger. America itself counts former adversaries as trusted friends: Germany and Japan and now Russia."

Bush said "Conflict is not inevitable. Distrust need not be permanent. Peace is possible when we break free of old patterns and habits of hatred. The violence and grief that troubled the Holy Land have been among the great tragedies of our time. The Middle East has often been left behind in the political and economic advancement of the world. That is the history of the region. But it need not and must not be its fate."

Bush said "The Middle East could write a new story of trade and development and democracy. And we stand ready to help. Yet, this progress can only come in an atmosphere of peace. And the United States will work for all the children of Abraham to know the benefits of peace.