U.S. Modifies Appraisal of Sharon Speech

U.S. Modifies Appraisal of Sharon Speech

Friday December 19, 2003 10:31 PM


By BARRY SCHWEID

AP Diplomatic Writer

WASHINGTON (AP) - The White House on Friday modified its appraisal of a speech by Israeli Prime Minister Ariel Sharon and reacted warmly to his latest prescription for how his country should interact with the Palestinians. ``We were very pleased with the overall speech,'' said President Bush's spokesman, Scott McClellan. The new reading apparently was meant to offset published accounts that focused on McClellan's admonition Thursday that Sharon should not try to impose a settlement on the Palestinians without negotiations.

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Describing department officials as pleased with Sharon's speech, Ereli said, ``We certainly welcome his commitment to improve the lives of the Palestinian people. We view this as a critical step.''

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In cautioning Israel on Thursday against unilateral moves, McClellan had said, ``The United States believes that a settlement must be negotiated, and we would oppose any Israeli effort to impose a settlement.''

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``We oppose a route (for the barrier) that interferes with the normal Palestinian life or makes building a viable Palestinian state impossible,'' McClellan ((had)) said.

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This appeared to have raised questions among Israeli officials, and the U.S. position was adjusted Friday. Ereli, however, refused to accept the idea of a change in position by the administration. ``I think this is just a fuller discussion of the issues,'' he said.

http://www.guardian.co.uk/worldlatest/story/0,1280,-3527959,00.html

Sharon Unilateral Plan Amounts To Annexation, Not Separation


Press release December 18, 2003


Washington, D.C.—Americans for Peace Now (APN) today reacted to Israeli Prime Minister Ariel Sharon’s much anticipated speech at the Herzliya Conference in which he offered a “disengagement” plan based on the current route of the security fence, the redeployment of some troops, the redistribution of some settlements, and the removal of unauthorized outposts. APN’s mission is to enhance Israel’s security through peace and to support the Israeli Peace Now movement.

“Any disengagement plan based on the current route of the security barrier amounts to annexation, not separation,” said Debra DeLee, President and CEO of Americans for Peace Now. “The barrier is being built in such a way that it is cutting deeply into the West Bank, bringing thousands of Palestinians inside Israel’s line of defense, escalating construction costs, and placing a huge drain on the Israel Defense Forces. Sharon’s plan is not the answer to Israel’s problems. As for the Prime Minister’s ideas about removing some settlements, he has hinted at similar action before and never followed through. He should be judged by his deeds, not his words, when it comes to settlements.”
http://www.peacenow.org/nia/pr/12182003.html

As reported by Antiwar: http://www.antiwar.com/ips/lobe122003.html

annexation is better than separation ... :silly: :mad:

everytime these idiots do this it just points to the perception that israel controls our policy in the middle east.it really drives the "stormfront troopers" fuck`n crazy....

This "adjustment" of Bush's response to Sharon's speech followed a threat from Gary Bauer.

We are owned...Sharon even said so.