Powell And Bush Drift Apart On Middle East

The Telegraph (UK) ^ | 6-13-2002 | Toby Harnden

[blam]

Powell and Bush drift apart on Middle East

By Toby Harnden in Washington
(Filed: 13/06/2002)

The differences between President George W Bush's pro-Israel Middle East policy and the approach favoured by Colin Powell, his secretary of state, were laid bare yesterday.

In an interview with Al Hayat, a London-based Arabic newspaper, Gen Powell said: "It's up to the Palestinian people to determine who their leader is, to determine who should head their government. And, at the moment, Yasser Arafat is the leader of the Palestinian people." Mr Arafat had to be negotiated with and "the president understands that".

Gen Powell also appeared to back Arab calls for "the end of the occupation" of the West Bank and Gaza by Israel so that "the creation of a state called Palestine" could take place there.

When asked about Mr Arafat after a meeting on Monday with Ariel Sharon, the Israeli premier, Mr Bush responded: "I don't think Mr Arafat's the issue. The issue is the Palestinian people. I am disappointed that he has not led in such a way that the Palestinian people have hope and confidence."

The White House appeared to pour cold water on Gen Powell's comments. Mr Bush's spokesman, Ari Fleischer, said he was not expressing his own views but those of Arab leaders.

Mr Sharon met Tony Blair in London last night. A Downing Street spokesman said they had "useful and constructive" discussions.

Israeli tanks and troops withdrew last night from positions around Mr Arafat's battered headquarters in Ramallah, where they were rounding up militants.

[gcruse]

Powell has always been dovish and pro-Pali. This doesn't seem to be anything different.
The good news is that Bush is over the fallacy of trusting Arafat.

[Enemy Of The State]

I guess if Bush had his head up his Arse as far as Bowel did, then he and Bowel would be on the same page. My advice to Bowel is...if your ever walking down the street and you suddenly hear a loud "POP" sound, jump for joy because your head just fell out of your Arse!

[Jhoffa_]

The White House appeared to pour cold water on Gen Powell's comments. Mr Bush's spokesman, Ari Fleischer, said he was not expressing his own views but those of Arab leaders.

HA!

I do so like Dick Cheney.. I almost choked when people were floating Powell as potential VP material.

What a disaster that would have been.

[gcruse]

I agree. State has become a swamp of apologists for the enablers of terrorism.

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