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Puck
The Texan
Joined: 05 Jan 2004
Posts: 5596
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 Thu May 26, 2005 10:32 pm Bush Pledges $50M in Direct Aid to Palestinians |
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| Quote: | BBC NEWS
Bush pledges aid to Palestinians
US President George W Bush has pledged $50m in direct aid for the Palestinian Authority, at a meeting with Palestinian leader Mahmoud Abbas.
Mr Bush also reiterated his commitment to the roadmap for peace and the creation of a Palestinian state.
He said that Israel must not take any actions that violated its roadmap obligations and said all settlement expansion on the West Bank must stop.
Mr Abbas is the first Palestinian leader to be hosted by Mr Bush.
He said that he was more confident about the role the US administration would play in achieving peace, but that time was short.
"Time is becoming our greatest enemy, we should end this conflict before it is too late," he said.
'Moment of opportunity'
The new aid is part of a $350m package earmarked for the Palestinians.
It will go to fund housing and infrastructure projects in the Gaza Strip.
You have made a start on a difficult journey, requiring courage and leadership each day - and we will take that journey together
George W Bush
"These funds will be used to improve the quality of life of the Palestinians living in Gaza, where poverty and unemployment are very high," Mr Bush said.
The BBC's Justin Webb in Washington says that while the money is a pat on the back for Mr Abbas, the US does not want him to feel so comfortable that he fails to take actions it regards as necessary to guarantee Israeli security.
Mr Abbas had asked Congress to channel financial assistance directly to the Palestinian Authority, instead of to NGOs.
US politicians have been reluctant to do that, accusing the PA of corruption, and preferring to fund aid agencies and non-governmental organisations.
Mr Bush also urged other Arab states to help create a supportive environment by providing financial help and refusing those wedded to violence.
He said that the Middle East had reached a moment of opportunity, and this could be transformed into real momentum.
"We remain committed to the roadmap as the only vision of two states living side by side," he said.
Israel's planned withdrawal from the Gaza Strip could lay the groundwork for a return to the roadmap, he added.
Mr Bush also praised Mr Abbas for rejecting violence and embracing democracy.
"You have made a start on a difficult journey, requiring courage and leadership each day," he said. "And we will take that journey together."
He urged Israel to remove unauthorised settlement outposts and stop the expansion of existing settlements in the West Bank.
The US president added that Secretary of State Condoleezza Rice would visit Jerusalem and Ramallah before the Israel withdrawal from Gaza.
Thaw
Mr Abbas is keen for the US to bring Israel's planned unilateral withdrawal from the occupied Gaza Strip under the auspices of the roadmap.
The roadmap plan, sponsored by the US, European Union, Russia and the United Nations, has been largely deadlocked since it was launched two years ago.
HAVE YOUR SAY
There is a glimmer of hope if all parties concede and truly want peace
Dan, Illinois, USA
It sets out a phase-by-phase path to ending the conflict within two years, setting up a viable independent Palestinian state and ensuring a secure Israel.
Mr Abbas' visit illustrates the thaw in relations between the US and the Palestinians since the death of Yasser Arafat, who was shunned by Mr Bush.
In Gaza, BBC correspondent Alan Johnston says there is little optimism about the Washington meeting, because they believe the US will not push Israel into the kind of deal that Palestinians would find acceptable.
Story from BBC NEWS:
http://news.bbc.co.uk/go/pr/fr/-/2/hi/middle_east/4581507.stm
Published: 2005/05/26 17:05:23 GMT
� BBC MMV
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Dirt
Exercise Boy
Joined: 19 May 2003
Posts: 2086
Location: a tree
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| Fri May 27, 2005 12:36 pm |
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So all the terrorism died with Yassar? Or was it maybe that Israel was (or is) not really open to peace talks? 
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Republican_Man
STV's Premier Conservative
Joined: 26 Mar 2004
Posts: 14823
Location: Classified
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| Fri May 27, 2005 1:04 pm |
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Wow! This is amazing! I am surprised at how friendly the President is being to them now--whoa, this gets rid of the statement by many that he's "too close to Israel!"
-------signature-------
"Rights are only as good as the willingness of some to exercise responsibility for those rights- Fmr. Colorado Senate Pres. John Andrews
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Pah-Wraith
Sheikh
Joined: 30 Nov 2001
Posts: 6012
Location: Londonistan.
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| Fri May 27, 2005 1:50 pm |
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If he's genuinely interested in helping the Palestinians find a peaceful solution (along with the Israelis) then God Bless George Bush and good luck to him.
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Republican_Man
STV's Premier Conservative
Joined: 26 Mar 2004
Posts: 14823
Location: Classified
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| Fri May 27, 2005 7:53 pm |
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^I would have to agree. Thanks to a friend of mine that pretty much HATES the Israeli government (and he is NOT Muslim) my support for Israel has gone down. The President's open-mindedness and middle-of-the roadness in this case seems fine to me. It could better improve our relations there, as well as improve the Israel-Palistinian situation, I would hope.
-------signature-------
"Rights are only as good as the willingness of some to exercise responsibility for those rights- Fmr. Colorado Senate Pres. John Andrews
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Theresa
Lux Mihi Deus
Joined: 17 Jun 2001
Posts: 27256
Location: United States of America
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| Fri May 27, 2005 8:38 pm |
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Gosh, my friend who is anti-Palestine says just the opposite.
However, I chose to form my own opinion regarding this. Good deal, President Bush.
-------signature-------
Some of us fall by the wayside
And some of us soar to the stars
And some of us sail through our troubles
And some have to live with our scars
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Republican_Man
STV's Premier Conservative
Joined: 26 Mar 2004
Posts: 14823
Location: Classified
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| Fri May 27, 2005 9:26 pm |
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| Theresa wrote: | Gosh, my friend who is anti-Palestine says just the opposite.
However, I chose to form my own opinion regarding this. Good deal, President Bush. |
I hope you're not thinking that I didn't form my own opinion and am talking to me there, because I have. I was once very, VERY pro-Israeli. After some of the things my friend has told me, and listening to other people, I have formed a new opinion. Of my own.
-------signature-------
"Rights are only as good as the willingness of some to exercise responsibility for those rights- Fmr. Colorado Senate Pres. John Andrews
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Theresa
Lux Mihi Deus
Joined: 17 Jun 2001
Posts: 27256
Location: United States of America
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| Fri May 27, 2005 9:29 pm |
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Shrink the ego, there, k?
-------signature-------
Some of us fall by the wayside
And some of us soar to the stars
And some of us sail through our troubles
And some have to live with our scars
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Republican_Man
STV's Premier Conservative
Joined: 26 Mar 2004
Posts: 14823
Location: Classified
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| Fri May 27, 2005 9:35 pm |
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| Theresa wrote: | | Shrink the ego, there, k? |
How was there an "ego problem" there? I don't see one.
-------signature-------
"Rights are only as good as the willingness of some to exercise responsibility for those rights- Fmr. Colorado Senate Pres. John Andrews
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Theresa
Lux Mihi Deus
Joined: 17 Jun 2001
Posts: 27256
Location: United States of America
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| Fri May 27, 2005 9:44 pm |
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Because you immediately thought that my statement just had to be about you. Self-centered -> ego.
-------signature-------
Some of us fall by the wayside
And some of us soar to the stars
And some of us sail through our troubles
And some have to live with our scars
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Republican_Man
STV's Premier Conservative
Joined: 26 Mar 2004
Posts: 14823
Location: Classified
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| Fri May 27, 2005 10:05 pm |
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| Theresa wrote: | | Because you immediately thought that my statement just had to be about you. Self-centered -> ego. |
Or maybe it was immediately after my statement, and so I rushed to a judgement  But remember, I said that I "hope you weren't talking to me."
-------signature-------
"Rights are only as good as the willingness of some to exercise responsibility for those rights- Fmr. Colorado Senate Pres. John Andrews
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Puck
The Texan
Joined: 05 Jan 2004
Posts: 5596
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| Fri May 27, 2005 10:07 pm |
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I am glad to see that things are getting so much better in the Palestinian-Israeli relationship. Thank goodness the Palestinians have a leader that we can have serious talks with now. Hopefully we can continue and give them more aid in the future, and they will continue to move towards peace, as will the Israelis.
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Seven of Nine
Sammie's Mammy
Joined: 16 Jun 2001
Posts: 7871
Location: North East England
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| Sat May 28, 2005 2:57 am |
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If he's being serious about this, and can persuade both the Palestinians and the Israelis to peacefully resolve their issues, then I'll be applauding with the rest of you 
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Republican_Man
STV's Premier Conservative
Joined: 26 Mar 2004
Posts: 14823
Location: Classified
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| Sat May 28, 2005 1:26 pm |
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And if President Bush successfully organizes that peace--which Carter and Clinton both failed to do--he will be a President long remembered for a MULTITUDE of things. GO BUSH!
-------signature-------
"Rights are only as good as the willingness of some to exercise responsibility for those rights- Fmr. Colorado Senate Pres. John Andrews
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