Bush Backs Sharon on Refugees, Settlements

The Jerusalem Post ^ | April 14, 2004 | Janine Zacharia and Herb Keinon

[quidnunc]

In a historic departure from US policy, President George W. Bush on Wednesday said Palestinian refugees should be resettled in a future Palestinian state, rather than return to Israel.

He also gave a nod to Israel's intention to retain control of West Bank settlement blocs by saying it would be "unrealistic" to expect a complete return to the Green Line as part of a final peace deal given "new realities on the ground."

Bush spoke at a news conference after meeting in the White House residence with Prime Minister Ariel Sharon, who formally presented his plan for unilateral withdrawal from the Gaza Strip and four West Bank settlements.

After their meeting, the White House released a letter from Bush to Sharon, which included, in addition to the US rejection of a Palestinian right of return and language expressing understanding for Israel's need to retain some West Bank settlements, a pledge the US would "do its utmost to prevent any attempt by anyone to impose any other plan."

Sharon had wanted to ensure that other peace plans drafted by outside parties, including the Saudi peace initiative of 2002 which calls for a full Israeli withdrawal from the West Bank and Gaza, would not be forced on Israel.

The Bush letter also urged Arab states to "begin now to move toward more normal relations with the State of Israel."

Sharon said Bush's letter "includes very important statements regarding Israel's security and its well-being as a Jewish state." He said his disengagement plan would "create a new and better reality for the State of Israel, and it also has the potential to create the right conditions to resume negotiations between Israel and the Palestinians."

-snip-

[Mr. Mojo]

President George W. Bush on Wednesday said Palestinian refugees should be resettled in a future Palestinian state,

A present Jordanian state would be far preferable.

[jwalsh07]

I'm so afraid that President Bush might lead the world into a Third World War - to justify the Christian belief of the coming of their Christ.

Take a double dose and everything will be better in the morning.

[McGavin999]

Barbara? Is that you?

He gave it to Sharon in writing.

[Texasforever]

I don't think our new friend will be with us much longer.

[GeronL]

Lord you have lost it.

We ARE in WW3 you dunderhead, and we did not start it.

[kayak]

I'm so afraid that President Bush might lead the world into a Third World War

You have it wrong, newbie. President Bush is leading the civilized world in a Third World War ... the terrorists led us into it.

[JCB]

I support the right of Israel to exist and oppose the right of Palestinian return. BUT...can someone explain to me how Israel can justify its occupation of the West Bank and Gaza as "buffer zones" all the while building houses in the area? Settlements kinda defeats the whole purpose of a buffer zone do they not?

Let's call it what it is: a land grab.

Israel wants to annex chunks of the West Bank and the Palestinians want to destroy the Jewish state either through war or flooding them with hostile "refugees."

No wonder there will never be peace! Where the hell does one start negotiations with these two sides???

Makes the Balkans look almost normal.

[hchutch]

I don't recall Secretary of State Powell playing too much "good cop" vis-a-vis the Palestinians lately.

When Colin Powell stops playing the role of the "good cop"...