 |
 |
 |
|
|
British Prime Minister Tony Blair and U.S. President George W. Bush issued a joint call for Israel's "withdrawal without delay" from Palestinian territories.
|
|
|
|
|
|
| By Ellis Shuman April 7, 2002 |
|
| |
Prime Minister Ariel Sharon told U.S. President George W. Bush last night that Israel would make every effort to expedite the end of Operation Defensive Shield. The Prime Minister said that Israel is aware of the American desire to see the action end quickly and explained that Israeli forces are operating under difficult conditions in areas in which there are considerable weapons, explosives and armed terrorists. Israel is making every effort to reduce civilian losses to a minimum and this caution is prolonging the operation, Sharon said.
Sharon's words indicated an apparent rejection of Bush's demand that Israel "withdraw without delay" from Palestinian territories it has occupied since military operations against terrorist infrastructures were launched on March 29. Speaking with British Prime Minister Tony Blair at his side, Bush said the two leaders "agree that Israel should halt incursions into Palestinian-controlled areas and begin to withdraw without delay from those cities it has recently occupied."
Asked for his reaction if Israel would not immediately
|
|
|
|
"I expect Israel to heed my advice"
- U.S. President George W. Bush
|
|
withdraw its forces, Bush replied, "I expect Israel to heed my advice."
Bush emphasized his "disappointment" in Palestinian Authority Chairman Yasser Arafat, who, he said, had failed in his leadership of the Palestinian people. Bush and Blair said, "The Palestinian leadership must order an immediate and effective cease-fire and crack down on terrorist networks."
U.S. Secretary of State Colin Powell, who will arrive in Israel on a truce-seeking mission later this week, is not scheduled to meet with Arafat, though his timetable remains flexible. "If Mr. Powell comes here and he doesn't want to meet President Arafat, I don't think he will meet any Palestinian officials," said senior Palestinian negotiator Saeb Erekat.
On Friday, Arafat reportedly rejected cease-fire calls suggested by U.S. special envoy Anthony Zinni, when the two met at the besieged presidential compound in Ramallah.
There was some confusion in Israel whether Bush demanded that Israel "begin withdrawing" or fully withdraw from Palestinian territories immediately, the Jerusalem Post reported. Powell said Friday Israel must "begin withdrawing as soon as possible or without delay, whichever formulation you choose," apparently giving Israel a little room for maneuvering in response to the American demands.
Israeli officials say that despite Bush's withdrawal demands, there are additional 'messages' emanating out of Washington suggesting understanding for the Israeli military actions, Maariv reported. "The Americans are under intense pressure, from all parts of the world, demanding an Israeli withdrawal," one senior source said, quoted in Maariv. According to the source, President Bush received calls of distress from Egyptian President Hosni Mubarak, who feared what was happening on the Egyptian street. The Washington Post reported that the Bush administration is also fearful for the regime of King Abdullah in Jordan.
Israeli officials interpreted Bush's remarks, as they did a less stern speech on Thursday, as granting them sufficient leeway to continue the operation at least until Powell arrives, the New York Times reported.
Israel needs at least two or three weeks to complete Operation Defensive Shield, Israeli diplomatic sources said, but Israel would have a hard time standing up to international pressure and would work to end the operations as quickly as possible. Chief of Staff Lt.-Gen. Shaul Mofaz said today that Israel needed an additional eight weeks to effectively complete the operations.
Defense Minister Binyamin Ben-Eliezer said today that after Bush's statements, it was obvious that time was running out for Israel's military operations, Army Radio reported. Even so, Ben-Eliezer said that it was clear to the Americans that Israel would not immediately withdraw from the Palestinian territories.
|
 
|
|
|
|
Click on the blue headline to read a Talkback comment and respond to it. Click on the  icon to send a private email to the talkback writer. The icon appears only if the writer has decided to be contacted. If no popup window appears, please make sure your popup blocker allows israelinsider.com.
|
|
| |
|
|
