Middle East peace at hand: Bush
Washington (AsiaNews/Agencies) - In his annual State of the Union speech, President George W Bush said that the creation of a Palestinian state living at peace with Israel is "within reach," and that elections in Iraq have opened "a new phase" in US efforts there. Mr Bush explained that US troops will increasingly play "a supporting role" to fledgling Iraqi security forces. However, he has rejected setting a specific timetable for a full American withdrawal. "In the end, Iraqis must be able to defend their own country and we will help that proud, new nation secure its liberty [But] we will not set an artificial timetable for leaving Iraq, because that would embolden the terrorists and make them believe they can wait us out."
In the first address opening his second term, Mr Bush has recommitted himself to the Middle East peace process. He has asked lawmakers for USD 350 million to help build Palestinian political, economic and security reforms. "The goal of two democratic states, Israel and Palestine, living side by side in peace is within reach and America will help them achieve that goal," he said.
Mr Bush notes that US Secretary of State Condoleezza Rice is embarking on a trip that will take her to Israel and the West Bank for talks with Israeli Prime Minister Ariel Sharon and Palestinian leader Mahmud Abbas. His remarks fleshed out his inauguration promise two weeks ago to spread democracy in the Middle East as the antidote to extremism that spawned terrorists like those who carried out the September 11, 2001 attacks.
"To promote peace and stability in the broader Middle East, the United States will work with our friends in the region to fight the common threat of terror, while we encourage a higher standard of freedom," he said. The President has made an unusual appeal to US allies Egypt and Saudi Arabia to pursue political reforms, while warning Syria and Iran to stop backing terrorism. He has made a direct appeal to the Iranian people. "To the Iranian people, I say tonight: As you stand for your own liberty, America stands with you," Mr Bush said. Mr Bush is working with Britain, France and Germany to end the stand-off over Iran's nuclear programs.
Mr Bush has only the briefest of comments on the nuclear dispute with North Korea, saying the US is "working closely with governments in Asia to convince North Korea to abandon its nuclear ambitions." The US in recent weeks has toughened its rhetoric towards North Korea and Iran, which Mr Bush branded part of an "axis of evil" along with Saddam Hussein's Iraq, in his 2002 State of the Union.
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12/02/2016 15:14
04/11/2004
04/11/2004
