Bush calls for new Middle East talks

Tuesday July 17, 2007 10:48 by R. P. - International Middle East Media Center - IMEMC Editorial Group

US President George W. Bush called yesterday for renewed peace talks between the Israeli and Palestinian governments, led by US Secretary of State Condoleezza Rice, to be held sometime this year.

The Quartet countries – the US, UK, EU and Russia – newly represented by former UK Prime Minister Tony Blair would play a major role, as would other Arab states that support the creation of a Palestinian state, recognize Israel and renounce violence.

The negotiations would include discussions on final-status issues such as the fate of Jerusalem, the right of return of 3.5 million Palestinian refugees, and the path of the Israeli-West Bank border.

Bush called for the removal of illegal outposts and a halt to the expansion of existing settlements by Israel in the West Bank, asking Israel to "find other practical ways to reduce their footprint without reducing their security." Israel's settlements in the West Bank are illegal under international law.

He also pushed Israeli Prime Minister Ehud Olmert to continue the release of frozen Palestinian tax revenues illegally withheld by Israel for the past 18 months.

Bush reiterated his government's support for beleaguered Palestinian President Mahmoud Abbas and his appointed Prime Minister Salaam Fayyad, pledging $80 million USD to the government to "help Palestinians reform their security services." However, sources later confirmed that this money would be redirected from funds already pledged to Gaza and did not constitute a new contribution. Bush promised more funding in future, though as a senior US official commented, "we're not going to announce a dollar amount for a plan that has yet to be elaborated or announced

During the speech, Bush also called on Hamas to allow aid to enter Gaza, disarm militias, recognize Israel and "accept the legitimate Palestinian government." Bush urged Palestinians to back the appointed government of Palestinian Prime Minister Salaam Fayyad, warning that supporting Hamas, elected in 2006, "would crush the possibility of a Palestinian state."

Bush reiterated his government's unwavering support of Israel, stating that "Israel should be confident that the United States will never abandon its commitment to the security of Israel as a Jewish state and homeland for Jewish people."

The speech was welcomed by Israeli and Palestinian officials. A spokesman for Olmert praised the move in the hopes that it would be "an excellent umbrella to support the moderate Palestinians and to give a real push" to bilateral talks currently underway between Olmert and Abbas.

Officials with Fatah and the Palestinian Liberation Organization were also hopeful that such a conference would push bilateral talks away from 'gestures' and towards a discussion of final-status issues. Nabil Amr, an adviser to Mahmoud Abbas, characterized the speech as "opening a new door that would lead to reviving peacemaking."

Hamas spokesperson Ismail Radwan condemned the speech, stating that "such a summit will lead to increased pressure on (PA President Mahmoud) Abbas, and will tear a deeper rift between Palestinians in the Gaza Strip and the West Bank." HE characterized the announcement as "a plot to start a crusade against the Palestinian people" which "aims to serve the interests of the Zionist enemy."

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