Bush, Mubarak give qualified support to Gaza pullout

By Haaretz Service and The Associated Press

U.S. President George W. Bush and Egyptian President Hosni Mubarak gave qualified support to the idea of Israeli withdrawal from some Arab areas, but said it must be part of a Mideast peace agreement that would establish a Palestinian state.




Beginning an intense focus on the Middle East, Bush welcomed the Egyptian leader on Monday to his Texas ranch where talks centered on Prime Minister Arial Sharon's plan for a unilateral withdrawal from the Gaza Strip.

Bush said he would not prejudge what Sharon would tell him at a White House meeting on Wednesday. The president referred to Sharon's plan as "rumors of such a withdrawal."

But in a joint statement released Monday evening, the two leaders said: "We believe that an Israeli withdrawal from Gaza and parts of the West Bank can, under the right conditions, and if it is within the context of the implementation of the roadmap and President Bush's vision, be a significant step forward."


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