Bush, Blair Support U.N. On Iraq Plan

[cb88]

Bush, Blair Support U.N. On Iraq Plan
But British Leader Dissents On Sharon's Mideast Proposal



By Dana Milbank
Washington Post Staff Writer
Saturday, April 17, 2004; Page A01

Excerpt:

President Bush and British Prime Minister Tony Blair gave an enthusiastic welcome yesterday to a proposal to create a U.N.-appointed caretaker government that would assume power in Iraq on June 30.

The two leaders, embattled by recent uprisings in Iraq that have undermined the occupation of the country, said they were of one mind on their Iraq policy as they embraced the broad outline of a U.N. solution that the Bush administration had sought.
But Bush and Blair presented different views about a new Middle East initiative by Israeli Prime Minister Ariel Sharon that was endorsed Wednesday by Bush. Blair said he welcomed Sharon's move to withdraw from the Gaza Strip and parts of the West Bank, but the Briton did not endorse two promises by Bush that have infuriated Arab leaders: that Israel, as part of any peace settlement, will not have to accept the right of Palestinian refugees to return to Israel and will not have to abandon all settlements in the occupied territories.

According to British accounts, Blair had unsuccessfully pleaded with Bush not to embrace the Sharon plan, and Bush's endorsement of it is being portrayed as a major setback for Blair.

Bush, in a question-and-answer session with the prime minister, dismissed a warning from Egyptian President Hosni Mubarak that Bush's action would provoke more violence. "I think this is a fantastic opportunity," Bush said. "The fact that Ariel Sharon said we're going to withdraw from territory is an historic moment."

The president said "we're not going to prejudge the final-status discussions," although Arab leaders said his vow to Sharon -- that under any peace agreement Israel need not accept refugees or return to its pre-1967 borders -- does precisely that.

Full Story: http://www.washingtonpost.com/wp-dyn...referrer=email

[Snowden]

But Bush and Blair presented different views about a new Middle East initiative by Israeli Prime Minister Ariel Sharon that was endorsed Wednesday by Bush. Blair said he welcomed Sharon's move to withdraw from the Gaza Strip and parts of the West Bank, but the Briton did not endorse two promises by Bush that have infuriated Arab leaders: that Israel, as part of any peace settlement, will not have to accept the right of Palestinian refugees to return to Israel and will not have to abandon all settlements in the occupied territories.

If the land is to belong to Palestinians as their homeland, the Israelis should, I think, be taken out of that territory. Not only is their presence a tacit claim on that land, but the Israelis living there would need round-the-clock protection. It's not a very well thought out decision - other than Sharon's method of retaining the territory. I don't trust Sharon; Mr. Bush seems a bit naive at best.

If there are Palestinians with families still in that area, they should be allowed to return, IMHO. I understand the threat to Israel, but it's been there all along and isn't about to disappear. A kind touch may even help. Not really, of course; both nationalities want that strip of land. Both want the other to go away. Still, in my visits there during the 70s and 80s, they were living in some semblence of accord. Even inter-marriages were taking place.

Common sense doesn't seem to have a prayer in the Holy Land now, does it?

[cb88]

Originally Posted by Snowden

If the land is to belong to Palestinians as their homeland, the Israelis should, I think, be taken out of that territory. Not only is their presence a tacit claim on that land, but the Israelis living there would need round-the-clock protection. It's not a very well thought out decision - other than Sharon's method of retaining the territory. I don't trust Sharon; Mr. Bush seems a bit naive at best.

If there are Palestinians with families still in that area, they should be allowed to return, IMHO. I understand the threat to Israel, but it's been there all along and isn't about to disappear. A kind touch may even help. Not really, of course; both nationalities want that strip of land. Both want the other to go away. Still, in my visits there during the 70s and 80s, they were living in some semblence of accord. Even inter-marriages were taking place.

Common sense doesn't seem to have a prayer in the Holy Land now, does it?

Unfortunately I have to agree with you on this, Snowden. I don't see much hope for peace in that land until the Day of the Lord. However, we must still try and not give up hope.

They are both very impassioned people. They hold strong religious and political beliefs, which are interlaced (it's hard to separate what is political and what is religious). Even if the leaders of the countries can agree, chances are change the hearts & minds of "whole peoples" will never happen.

[Snowden]

Originally Posted by cb88

Unfortunately I have to agree with you on this, Snowden. I don't see much hope for peace in that land until the Day of the Lord. However, we must still try and not give up hope.

They are both very impassioned people. They hold strong religious and political beliefs, which are interlaced (it's hard to separate what is political and what is religious). Even if the leaders of the countries can agree, chances are change the hearts & minds of "whole peoples" will never happen.

Well, isn't one of the predictions that all the world will turn against Israel? So far, either we are included in that (hopefully!) or it is very near. We seem to be their only ally.

They are all Semites; although "anti-Semitic" only means the Jews. Their deep roots are joined; Abraham, father of the Jews, was from Iraq, the city of Ur. This we know, so it's understandable that they share many similarities. What a shame such hatred is part of that heritage.

I always pray in church, during the Prayers of the People, for the peace of Jerusalem. Sometimes I wonder if the people around me realize that this is praying for the Lord to return. As you say, cb, I believe the only peace there will come with Him.