Bush Urges Immediate Israeli Pullout, Calls for Arab Support

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Last updated at: (Beijing Time) Friday, March 08, 2002

Bush Urges Immediate Israeli Pullout, Calls for Arab Support

US President George W. Bush on Saturday urged Israel to immediately withdraw from the Palestinian areas it recently occupied, calling on Arab leaders to support the U.S. effort for a cease-fire and a political settlement.

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Bush first added the words "without delay"

"We agree that Israel should halt incursions in the Palestinian-controlled areas and begin to withdraw without delay from those cities it has recently occupied," Bush said at a joint news conference with visiting British Prime Minister Tony Blair at his ranch near Crawford, Texas.

This was the first time that Bush added the words "without delay" when calling for the Israeli withdrawal, although he said his words was "the same as they were a couple of days ago" when responding to questions why he had waited so long to demand an immediate pullout of Israeli troops.

Earlier in the day, Bush said in his weekly radio address that "I've asked Israel to halt incursions into Palestinian-controlled areas, and begin withdrawing from those cities it has recently occupied," referring to his similar statement last Thursday.

That statement marked the first time he called for an Israeli withdrawal since Israel launched some 10 days ago its biggest military offensive in Palestinian cities in 20 years. However, he did not give a time-table for the pullout in the statement.

In defiance of Washington's call for a halt to its military campaign, Israel pressed its wide-ranging military offensive against Palestinian cities Saturday. Both Bush and Blair said they hope Israeli Prime Minister Ariel Sharon will heed their advice for a pullout.

"The bloodshed and the carnage and innocent people dying, in the end, is not a solution to this issue," Blair said.

At the news conference, Bush also urged the Palestinians to order "an immediate and effective cease-fire."

Bush called for Arab support, disappointed with Arafat

He called on the Arab leaders to "step up and lead" in the effort to fight terror and achieve a cease-fire between Israel and the Palestinians, saying he was disappointed with Palestinian National Authority Chairman Yasser Arafat.

"In order to earn my trust someone must keep his word and Chairman Arafat has not kept his word," Bush said, repeating his criticism he made Friday that Arafat "he has let his people down."

Arafat has been confined to his headquarters in the West Bank city of Ramallah by Israeli tanks. But Bush has said that the situation was "largely of his own making."

On the issue of Iraq

On the issue of Iraq, Bush said he explained to Blair that his policy is "the removal" of Iraqi leader Saddam Hussein. Then he corrected his words by saying "We support regime change."

For his part, Blair said Iraq would be better without the regime of Saddam Hussein, but how to deal with Baghdad is "a matter for discussions."

Powell left for the Middle East

Bush and Blair spoke one day before U.S. Secretary of State Colin Powell leaves for the Middle East in a new push for a cease-fire between the Israelis and the Palestinians.

White House spokesman Ari Fleischer said Friday that Powell had no plans "at this moment" to meet with Arafat during his trip, another sign that the Bush administration is seeking to marginalize the Palestinian leader.

Palestinian officials have said that if Powell refused to meet Arafat during his trip, then he will meet no any other Palestinian representative.

Backgrounder: Middle East Peace Process

Israel's latest move to retaliate against an increase of Palestinian suicide bombings has pushed the volatile Mideast situation to the brink of chaos.

The retaliation has had grave consequences on peace and stability in the region and has aroused serious concerns in the international community. >>Full Coverage

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