Seattle, Aug 23: US President George W Bush has vowed to keep pressing for Palestinian and Arab leaders to end anti-Israel violence, calling it a pre-requisite for the creation of a Palestinian state. "We'll just keep working the issue hard and keep reminding people of this important fact, that if people want there to be peace in the Middle East, if the Palestinians want to see their own state, they've got to dismantle the terrorist networks," he said yesterday during a brief public appearance here.
Bush spoke hours after announcing in a statement that he was widening the US campaign against the radical Palestinian group Hamas, including some leaders and supporters based outside the United States.
The President said the action against the six officials and five non-governmental organisations was in retaliation for a suicide bombing this week that killed 20 people aboard a crowded Jerusalem bus.
"By claiming responsibility for the despicable act of terror on August 19, Hamas has reaffirmed that it is a terrorist organisation committed to violence against Israelis and to undermining progress toward peace between Israel and the Palestinian people," said Bush.
In his remarks on the tarmac here, the US leader denounced the bloody tactic and said he would work with leaders in the region to starve militant groups of support.
"I will continue to work with leaders in the neighborhood to encourage them, to cut off the money and the aid and the help that goes to these terrorist organisations."
Bureau Report