President Bush warned Israel anew on Friday not to take actions that would make it harder to create a Palestinian state. "It's in Israel's interest there be a Palestinian state," Bush told reporters at the White House. "It's in the poor suffering Palestinian people's interest there be a Palestinian state."
Bush also said Palestinian leaders should be "willing to reject the tired old policies of the past." "That's why we're stalled where we are today," the president said. "It's time for Palestinian leadership to emerge that believes in peace and believes in the aspirations of the Palestinian people."
But Bush had pointed words for Israel amid signs that the administration is growing frustrated with Israel's actions. "Israel must be mindful ... that they don't make decisions that make it hard to create a Palestinian state," he said, according to the AP.
Also Friday, Israel Foreign Minister Silvan Shalom said after a meeting with Secretary of State Colin Powell that he and Powell agree that negotiations between Israel and the Palestinians should start immediately without preconditions.
Shalom added that he hoped Israeli Prime Minister Ariel Sharon and Palestinian Prime Minister Ahmed Qurei could meet soon. He stated Sharon will outline his thoughts on future steps in the peace process next week. (Albawaba.com)
© 2003 Al Bawaba (www.albawaba.com)
