Ed, could you please help me reconcile the two "conflicting" statements below? (specifically the bold scraps)
10 March 2003
Boucher Reaffirms U.S. Commitment to Middle East Roadmap
(Says U.S. looks forward to working with Palestinian prime minister) (720)
State Department Spokesman Richard Boucher says the President Bush is personally committed to the Middle East "roadmap" that has as its goal two states, Israel and Palestine, living side by side in peace and security. Boucher was speaking at the regular State Department noon briefing March 10.
"The president has stated his determination to see the roadmap implemented as soon as possible," Boucher said. "We've been looking for both parties to take actions in the right direction. So we will continue to work with them, and we will continue to look for what's the best way to move forward."
[...]
usembassy-israel.org.il
U.S. Jewish leader hit over letter
By Inigo Gilmore
LONDON SUNDAY TELEGRAPH
JERUSALEM - Some American Jewish leaders are calling for the resignation of Edgar Bronfman Jr. as president of the World Jewish Congress over a letter he wrote to President Bush opposing Israel's construction of a security fence in the West Bank.
The dispute has drawn in prominent politicians in both countries, including former Secretary of State Lawrence Eagleburger, a close friend of Mr. Bronfman's who cosigned the letter.
In the missive, the two men described the security fence as a "separation wall" and said its continuing construction is "complicated and potentially problematic."
They urged Mr. Bush to exert pressure on Israel and apply "the same straightforwardness" with Prime Minister Ariel Sharon as the president had shown with the Palestinian prime minister, Mahmoud Abbas.
A copy of the letter was obtained by an intermediary and passed along to Isi Liebler, who as senior vice president of the WJC is deputy to Mr. Bronfman, the billionaire scion of the Seagrams fortune.
[...]
Jewish leaders in the United States were already divided over the U.S.-backed "road map" plan for peace between Israel and the Palestinians.
While those aligned to the peace camp in Israel have thrown their weight behind the road map, many Jewish leaders have been vocal in their opposition, suggesting that support for the plan is a betrayal of Israel.
[...]
washtimes.com
So, what's your take, Ed? George W. Bush --Israel's "best friend" or bane? Besides, do you think Sharon (Israel's biggest rancher) will ever make it to Crawford? |
