WASHINGTON (Islamweb & News Agencies) - President Bush on Thursday gave his strongest conditional support to date for the creation of a Palestinian state if it left Israel in peace. (Read photo caption)
Bush told a news conference his backing depended on the start of a peace process based on a plan outlined by former Sen. George Mitchell that calls for a cease-fire and confidence-building measures leading up to peace talks.
On Oct. 2, Bush used somewhat vaguer language, saying, ``the idea of a Palestinian state has always been a part of a vision, so long as the right of Israel to exist is respected.''
Bush said that he hoped Palestinian President Yasser Arafat was making an effort to reduce what he calls violence in the Middle East that has killed at least 624 Palestinians and 125 Israelis in the last year and declined to say if he would meet the Palestinian leader.
``If I am convinced that a meeting with a particular party at this point in time will further the process, I will do so. If it turns out to be an empty photo opportunity that creates expectations that will become dashed, I won't meet,'' he said.
``I hope progress is being made. I was pleased to see that Mr. Arafat is trying to control the radical elements within the Palestinian Authority. I think the world ought to applaud him for that.
PHOTO CAPTION:
President Bush answers questions from reporters as he holds a news conference in the East Room of the White House Thursday, Oct. 11, 2001 in Washington. (AP Photo/Pablo Martinez Monsivais)
- Oct 11 9:49 PM ET