The Palestinian Government welcomed the US President George W. Bush's statement, calling on the Israeli Government to freeze settlements on Palestinian lands and dismantle the "unauthorized outposts".

An official spokesman was quoted as saying by WAFA on Tuesday that the Government welcomed Mr. Bush's statement in which he expressed his "concern that Israel not undertake any activity that contravenes Road Map obligations or prejudice final status negotiations".

The spokesman reiterated that the issues of borders, Jerusalem and refugees, are only settled through the final status negotiations. It affirmed that such negotiations should be based on international legitimacy, Roadmap and President Bush's statement in June 2002.

The Government expressed hope that such US attitude will be as an initiative leads to the Israeli commitment to ending settling, especially around Jerusalem, and ending the construction of the "Apartheid Wall."

The Palestinian Government reiterated its commitment to the peace process based on the international legitimacy and implementing the Road Map plan, despite the non-stopped Israeli attacks and killing of Palestinian children.

During a joint press conference, held Monday in (Crawford, Texas) with Israeli Prime Minister, Sharon, US President Bush reiterated that the United States "supports the establishment of a Palestinian state that is viable, contiguous, sovereign and independent".

He also affirmed that the US is strongly committed to the vision of two democratic states, Israel and Palestine, living side by side in peace and security.

"Israel not undertake any activity that contravenes Road Map obligations or prejudice final status negotiations. Therefore, Israel should remove unauthorized outposts and meet its Road Map obligations regarding settlements in the West Bank," President Bush said.

© 2005 Al Bawaba (www.albawaba.com)