Lebanese premier says U.S. must help in Mideast

Reuters, Israel ^ | 4-16-02

[Oldeconomybuyer]

Lebanese premier says U.S. must help in Mideast

    WASHINGTON, April 16 (Reuters) - Warning Arab sentiment had 
shifted dramatically in recent weeks, Lebanese Prime Minister 
Rafik al-Hariri said on Tuesday the United States had a big 
responsibility to work for peace in the Middle East. 
    "I believe strongly that the United States has to work hard 
to achieve peace in the Middle East and we believe also that 
peace cannot be achieved unless there is an independent 
Palestinian state," Hariri said in an interview with ABC's 
"Good Morning America" show. 
    Hariri, who is set to meet Defense Secretary Donald 
Rumsfeld in Washington later on Tuesday and President George W. 
Bush on Wednesday, said Israel's occupation of Palestinian 
areas had changed public opinion in the Arab world. 
 In a meeting with U.S. Secretary of State Colin Powell on 
Monday in Beirut, Hariri also spoke of the Arab anger sweeping 
the region because of Israel's West Bank offensive which was 
launched in retaliation for Palestinian suicide attacks. 
    Powell, in turn, expressed concern that guerrilla attacks 
by Lebanon's Hizbollah along the border with Israel could widen 
into a regional conflict. 
    Asked what message he would deliver to Bush, Hariri said: 
"I will tell him that the United States has a very important 
responsibility to work for stability, security and peace in the 
Middle East. What has happened in the recent two weeks brings 
us to square zero." 
    "Trying to solve the problem through military or through 
security methods only will lead to nowhere," he added. 
    People were dying on both sides of the conflict, and Hariri 
complained the main focus was on Israelis killed in a spate of 
suicide bombings rather than on innocent Palestinian civilians 
who had died. 
    "For the victims who are going to die, does it make any 
difference for them if they died through a suicide bomber or 
through (Israeli) tanks?," asked Hariri, adding that more than 
500 civilians had died during Israel's invasion of Jenin 
refugee camp, a number disputed by Israel. 
    "All of this is wrong. If you really want peace, peace 
cannot live with occupation. We have to give the Palestinians 
an independent state and hold them responsible," he added. 
 ((Washington newsroom, fax 202 898 8383, email 
Sue.Pleming@reuters.com)) 

16 APR 2002 13:09:41

[Oldeconomybuyer]

"Lebanese premier says U.S. must help in Mideast" while "moderate Arab states" hold telethons to raise money for homicide bombers...

[chiefqc]

What part of:

FU** OFF DON'T YOU UNDERSTAND, YOU RAGHEAD