After I read the transcript I noticed that he used the term "false religion" to describe the terrorists beliefs. Although many of us probably agree, it is irresponsible for our leaders to make that kind of declaration. His words can ,and probably will be used on AL Jeeza ( Arab TV station sp?) to recruit more terrorists.
Here is the transcript:
cnn.com
Bush 'furious' over attack on Hebrew University
'We are committed to the war on terror'
August 1, 2002 Posted: 11:36 AM EDT (1536 GMT)
King Adullah of Jordan is the latest Arab leader to call on Bush to get Israel out of the West Bank and Gaza so the land may be used for a Palestinian state.
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WASHINGTON (AP) -- President Bush mourned the deaths of five Americans in a Jerusalem bombing as he met Thursday with King Abdullah of Jordan on how to move the Mideast peace process forward. "I am just as angry as Israel is. I am furious," he said.
"But even though I am mad, I still think peace is possible," the president said at a picture-taking session with the king at the start of a meeting in the Oval Office.
Bush said he was seeking the cooperation of Arab governments in tracking down the perpetrators of the bombing at Hebrew University in which five Americans were killed.
At the same time, the president reaffirmed that bolstering security is his highest priority.
In an obvious thrust at Yasser Arafat, the Palestinian leader whose ouster he already has demanded, Bush said security arrangements must serve to protect people and not the "whims" of one man.
Later, Bush was due to meet with Israeli Foreign Minister Shimon Peres, joining a meeting Peres was set to hold with Condoleezza Rice, the president's national security assistant.
"Today we mourn the loss of American lives," Bush said at the outset of his meeting with the king. He said the terrorists were guided by "some kind of false religion" and were trying to kill off peace hopes.
"We are committed to the war on terror, to fighting the war on terror, to winning the war on terror," he said.
And yet, Bush said the foes of peace should not be permitted to stop the peace process.
Abdullah, in response, praised Bush's "very strong commitment" to aid the Palestinian people. And the king, whose country is at peace with Israel, said Arabs and Israelis must move together to broaden that peace throughout the region.
Bush has warned that America will strike against terrorists who attack Americans. Asked whether the United States planned retaliation, White House spokesman Ari Fleischer said: "The United States is already engaged in a war against terror, and the war will continue."
Abdullah is the latest Arab leader to call on Bush to get Israel out of the West Bank and Gaza so the land may be used for a Palestinian state.
Bush is committed to Palestinian statehood in three years, and he supports U.N. resolutions that would have Israel give up territory the Arabs lost in the 1967 Mideast war in exchange for peace within secure borders.
Israel's battle with terror was likely the subject of a fast-paced series of meetings that Peres had scheduled Thursday with officials at the Pentagon as well as with Rice, Deputy Secretary of State Richard Armitage and Senate Democratic leader Tom Daschle of South Dakota.
In Gaza, Sheik Ahmed Yassin, spiritual leader of the Islamic Resistance Movement, or Hamas, linked the bombing at Hebrew University to Israel's air strike in Gaza City last week that killed Hamas military commander Salah Shehadeh and 14 civilians, including nine children.
At the State Department, a spokesman rejected any suggestion the bombing was a payback for the Israeli assassination.
'There is no justification'
"There is no justification," spokesman Philip Reeker said. "It robbed innocent lives."
But there was no call at the White House or the State Department for Israel to hold its fire.
Like other deadly attacks in the past, the bombing coincided with a review of U.S. peacemaking prospects -- this time with King Abdullah, whose country is at peace with Israel.
Reflecting widespread Arab and European sentiment, the king seeks to persuade the administration in talks with Bush, Rice and Armitage to step up its timetable for Palestinian statehood.
European diplomats have been trying to revive the idea of holding an international peace conference to address the statehood question, a gathering the Bush administration had initially suggested holding this summer.
Bush said before there could be a peace conference, which he said he supports, security to protect Israel and the Palestinians must be installed and democracy, including a constitution, brought to the Palestinian people.
"Reform of these institutions are an incredible part of achieving what, I believe, His Majesty wants, which is two states living side by side in peace," he said.
Bush has called for the ouster of Yasser Arafat, accusing him of involvement with corruption and terror. His remarks Wednesday proposed a broader sweep.
Secretary of State Colin Powell is due to meet with a delegation of Palestinians in Washington next week and is conferring with Palestinian officials over who would be part of it. |
