[rock jock]

http://story.news.yahoo.com/news?tmpl=story2&cid=535&ncid=535&e=4&u=/ap/20030314/ap_on_re_mi_ea/us_mideast_22

This is a great coup by Bush to quell some of the criticism that the US Middle East policy is centered around Israel. Excellent timing. Takes the wind of the French sails.

Personally, I don't think it will do one bit of good to reduce the homocide bombings, but it will remove one more excuse given for violence.

[Blackhawk]

I need to think about this development for a while....

[TallPine]

Which state is he going to give to them...? Arizona ...?

:D

[oogee]

It's "lip tax"...

[Hkmp5sd]

If you want a lesson in the mid-east peace process, read The High Cost of Peace: How Washington's Middle East Policy Left America Vulnerable to Terrorism by Yossef Bodansky.

Bush is making some very GOOD choices in how to do this. First is to get rid of Arafat. He is a terrorist and a waste of time. Second is to make the Palestinians stop their terrorist actions before Israel makes any concessions. Arafat has never honored any treaty or agreement he has made with the US or Israel.

One thing the arab nations have NEVER agreed to is the right of Israel to exist. In the Palestinian Covenant, the complete destruction of Israel is called for. Arafat will not even agree to change that covenant and state that Israel has a right to exist.

In every instance that Israel withdrew from occupied lands, Arafat and the other muslim nations and terrorist groups viewed it as a military retreat, the end of Israel and in ALL cases, they have increased the level of terrorism.

As for the book, the actions of Bill Clinton and his foreign policy in regards to the mid-east are something out of a fantasy novel.

[Atticus]

Very smart move- but it shoulda been defined as part of the process two months ago (if it ever was part of the process).

I hope the Bush plan is something like:

1) Take out Saddam.

2) Muzzle Arafat and Sharon - and get back to negotiating something similar to the Camp David Agreement.

3) Form an alliance with S.Korea, China, and Japan to deal with N. Korea.

4) Start applying economic pressure to the other Arab dictators/Royals.

[Waitone]

When I heard Bush's pronouncement I thought, "Great, another piece of gum for the guy to chew." Later in the day I heard a report explaining why now. Seems the Palestinians and Israel and US were in negotiations for identify a Prime Minister for Palestinian people. Things were moving along nicely in terms of giving the PM some real authority. Suddenly, Arafat starts moving back in and screwing up the deal. Bush went public to shut down Arafat's power grab.

The US military play in the area has already had an effect. Arafat and Co. are laying low because they don't want to give the US cause to target them. That was from a broadcast report.

[.45FMJoe]

Sharon is worse than Arafat! If anyone needs to be whacked, it's Sharon. He is a monster.

[rock jock]

Sharon is worse than Arafat! If anyone needs to be whacked, it's Sharon. He is a monster.
That is the best laugh I have had all day!:)

[fallingblock]

.45FMJoe is not an Israeli:uhoh:

Or, maybe an anti-war Israeli:scrutiny: