Bush, Mubarak Seek Stop to Middle East Violence

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Last updated at: (Beijing Time) Wednesday, March 06, 2002

Bush, Mubarak Seek Stop to Middle East Violence

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President Bush and Egyptian President Hosni Mubarak searched Tuesday for solutions to the spiraling violence in the Middle East, with Bush emphasizing the need to stop Palestinian attacks on Israelis while Mubarak demanded that Israel ease up on the Arabs.

Bush said peace in the Middle East is "only possible if there is a maximum effort to end violence throughout the region, starting with Palestinian efforts to stop attacks on Israelis." Mubarak, for his part, called for an end to forceful Israeli military tactics such as demolishing Palestinian homes and closing roads.

"Nothing can be achieved through violence or resolved by force," the Egyptian said.

Bush also spoke favorably of a Saudi Arabian proposal, which would offer Israel peace, trade and security in exchange for the land the Arabs lost in war, and of Mubarak's offer to be the host for talks between Arafat and Israeli Prime Minister Ariel Sharon.

"We're both determined to redouble our efforts to work for peace," Bush said, referring to himself and the Egyptian president.

Mubarak said of the Israelis, "The closure of roads, the siege of towns and villages, the demolition of houses, the collective punishment that make progress more difficult should stop."

Speaking of the growing violence, Bush said officials in both the United States and Egypt "view this situation with great alarm."

"We both feel deep sympathy for the people in the region who are trying to live their lives in peace," he said.

In Jerusalem, Israeli officials let it be known Sharon considers a meeting with Arafat useless while Palestinian attacks against Israelis continue. Mubarak said he would not meet with Sharon unless Arafat attended as well.

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