President Bush, calling Saddam Hussein "a dangerous man," said Wednesday after meeting with Israeli Prime Minister Ariel Sharon that he was certain Sharon would retaliate if Iraq attacked Israel. "If Iraq were to attack, I am sure the prime minister will respond," Bush said. "He's got a desire to defend himself," Bush said of Sharon's situation.
Bush said Saddam has to understand the international community would not condone an attack on Israel or any other country. "He is a dangerous man. He has gassed his own people. That's why he has to be disarmed," Bush said.
He said that the U.S. would attempt to get Security Council backing against Iraq, but if the council would refuse, the U.S. would forge a coalition to disarm Saddam.
On the Arab-Israel front, Bush said Sharon had assured him he will turn over tax revenues withheld from the Palestinians to the Palestinian people. But Bush said there must be assurances the funds are not used to promote "terror."
Prior to the meeting, the U.S. administration had presented the Israeli delegation with a "roadmap" on how to ease tensions with the Palestinians and eventually restart diplomatic talks.
The U.S. leader also said he would send Assistant Secretary of State William Burns to the Middle East to work on concrete security and peacemaking moves.
Burns will visit Egypt, Saudi Arabia, Syria, Lebanon, Israel, the West Bank, Yemen, Oman, the United Arab Emirates, Qatar, Bahrain and Kuwait. He is inclined to hold talks with Middle East leaders about the Israeli-Palestinian conflict and the U.S. campaign to ensure the disarmament of Iraq, possibly by U.S. military force.
On the troubled border between Israel and Lebanon, the president expressed support for the Israeli government in the event of an escalation of attacks by Hizbullah guerrillas. "We are making it clear we will fight terror wherever it exists," Bush said. "We expect Hizbullah not to attack our friend."
Sharon, in brief remarks, said Israel had never had a better friend in the White House than Bush. "We never had such cooperaition in everything as we have with the current administration."
© 2002 Al Bawaba (www.albawaba.com)
