President George W Bush has backed Israeli Prime Minister Ariel Sharon as a "man of peace" even as he reaffirmed his commitment to creation of a Palestinian State and said progress has been made towards the US vision of Palestine and Israel living side by side. Appearing before media with Secretary of State Colin Powell, Bush said, "That we are serious when we talk about two States living side by side, and that we are laying the foundations for peace, the structures necessary to peace."
Bush said that he believes Israeli Prime Minister Ariel Sharon is a "man of peace. "I am confident he wants Israel to be able to exist at peace with its neighbours. He told that to us here in the Oval Office."
Asked whether he is troubled by Israel's ignoring calls for withdrawal without delay, Bush replied, "Well, Israel started withdrawing quickly after our call from smaller cities on the West Bank. History will show that they responded. And as the Prime Minister told me, he gave me a timetable and he has met the timetable."
Powell, who returned from Middle East empty handed, said he made it clear during his mission that "the US does have a vision, a vision that leads to two States living in peace side by side, and this is the only solution to the conflict".
Bush repeated his expectation of the different parties: The Palestinian Authority must act on its condemnation of terror. Israel must continue their withdrawals. And neighbours in the region must condemn terror, cut off funding for terror, must make it clear that suicide-bombers are not martyrs, but murderers who kill innocent people. Bureau Report