Arabs assured of no change in US position

WASHINGTON [MENL] -- The Bush administration has assured Arab states that Israel's unilateral withdrawal from the Gaza Strip and parts of the West Bank would not harm Palestinian demands for the return of refugees to their homes in what became the Jewish state.

U.S. Secretary of State Colin Powell and his aides have been briefing Arab leaders on the U.S. endorsement of the Israeli withdrawal plan. U.S. officials said Prime Minister Ariel Sharon's proposed withdrawal provides the Palestinians with a state as well as thousands of Israeli homes.

"The Palestinians will take those settlements openly," U.S. Deputy Secretary of State Richard Armitage said. "For the first time in how many years, the Palestinians will have direct access to an Arab neighbor [Egypt], which we hope and pray bring enormous interchange, commerce. We were very careful to say that, ultimately, this does not prejudge final status. These have to be mutually agreed by the parties."

Armitage left Washington for the Gulf region over the weekend. He was scheduled to travel to Bahrain, Iraq, Kuwait, Qatar, Saudi Arabia and the United Arab Emirates.

1 posted on 04/18/2004 2:04:39 PM PDT by yonif

To: SJackson; Yehuda; Nachum; Paved Paradise; Thinkin' Gal; Bobby777; adam_az; Alouette; IFly4Him; ...

2 posted on 04/18/2004 2:04:53 PM PDT by yonif ("So perish all Thine enemies, O the Lord" - Judges 5:31)

Palestinians will have direct access to an Arab neighbor [Egypt], which we hope and pray bring enormous interchange, commerce.

And direct access to armaments.

3 posted on 04/18/2004 2:13:39 PM PDT by Nachum

I just wonder how many Palistinians will actually return to that cesspool known as the Gaza Strip.

4 posted on 04/18/2004 2:21:20 PM PDT by LoudRepublicangirl (loudrepublicangirl)

Many of them are already there. Remember Israeli rule constitutes only 2% of the whole area of Gaza. Once Israel leaves, the Arabs will increase their attacks with more ease.

5 posted on 04/18/2004 2:23:09 PM PDT by yonif ("So perish all Thine enemies, O the Lord" - Judges 5:31)

I hear that Gaza is a slum, though. I am just wondering how many Palestinians who have relocated to other arab countries are actually going to give up decent livings and homes to relocate to that area.

6 posted on 04/18/2004 2:37:48 PM PDT by LoudRepublicangirl (loudrepublicangirl)

They could care less about their conditions. Their priority is hatred of Jews and the destruction of Israel. That is what will cause those to move to Gaza and join their brothers.

7 posted on 04/18/2004 2:39:27 PM PDT by yonif ("So perish all Thine enemies, O the Lord" - Judges 5:31)

That makes one big target. I always believe that if Israel is attacked by unconventional weapons there will no longer be a Gaza strip or West Bank.

8 posted on 04/18/2004 2:50:02 PM PDT by LoudRepublicangirl (loudrepublicangirl)

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