A tentative first step was taken on President Bush’s “road map” to Mideast peace yesterday, as the Israeli and Palestinian prime ministers both said they envision a time when their people will live peacefully side by side in separate states.
“Great hope and change is coming to the Middle East,” Bush said in his closing speech as the three-way summit in Aqaba, Jordan, ended.
Flying to Qatar afterward aboard Air Force One, the president looked to the future and vowed to “ride herd” on leaders in the region to ensure that peace is eventually realized.
Speaking in 100-degree heat on the private beach of Jordan’s King Abdullah, Palestinian Prime Minister Abu Mazen pledged to do all in his power to end acts of terrorism against Israel.
Calling terrorism “inconsistent with our religious and moral traditions” and “the kind of state we wish to build,” Mazen said he would work to establish accountability and the rule of law in areas under Palestinian control and to bring an end to the 32-month armed intifada, or uprising, against Israel.
Israeli Prime Minister Ariel Sharon, who shook hands with Mazen publicly after the meeting, said he adheres to the Bush vision of the creation of a Palestinian state and pledged to “immediately” begin removing settlement outposts.
Sharon added that he understands the importance of “territorial contiguity for a viable Palestinian state” on the West Bank.
Although Sharon didn’t use the word “condition” or “conditionally” in his speech, the Israeli leader linked his promise to the end of Palestinian terror attacks.
Sharon’s pursuit of the “road map” plan did not sit well at home, where 40,000 people gathered last night in Jerusalem to protest giving up the settlements.
Demonstrators carried posters that said “No to giving them a Palestinian state,” and “Palestinian state – disaster for the Israeli state.”
Sharon opened his speech by referring to Israel as “the cradle of the Jewish people,” a sentiment that was added at the last minute to Bush’s speech when the president referred to Israel as a “Jewish” state, The Post learned.
It was seen as a crucial addition by the Israelis because it implied that the president sides with them in opposing the Palestinian demand that Palestinian refugees be allowed to return to Israel in large numbers, which could possibly make Jews a minority in their own state.
The White House carefully checked and edited all three speeches before they were delivered.
And while Bush and Sharon delivered their closing statements in English, Mazen spoke in Arabic. He did so at the White House’s request, so Palestinians and other Arabs viewing the widely telecast speech would hear him calling for an end to the intifada.
Bush said he expects both sides “to keep their promises.”
Later, flying to Qatar on Air Force One to greet U.S. troops, Bush, relaxing with a Diet Coke and his sleeves rolled up, described his role in the peace process: “I show up when they need me to call people to account, to praise or to say ‘wait a minute.’ “
*
Palestinian militant groups vowed yesterday they would not disarm, defying an appeal issued by Palestinian Prime Minister Abu Mazen at the peace summit.
“We will never be ready to lay down arms until the liberation of the last centimeter of the land of Palestine,” Hamas official Abdel-Aziz al-Rantissi said.
Islamic Jihad, another group sworn to Israel’s destruction, followed suit.
But neither ruled out further talks with Mazen.
Post Wire Services
—–
What they said and didn’t say
Palestinian Prime Minister Abu Mazen
Said: “Our goal is two states, Israel and Palestine, living side by side.”
Didn’t say: Israel has a right to exist as a Jewish state.
Said: “we will take measures to ensure there is not incitement [of violence] from Palestinian institutions.”
Didn’t say: What he will do about Palestinian leader Yasser Arafat, the man who appointed him, who is suspected of supporting terrorists.
*
Israeli Prime Minister Ariel Sharon
Said: “We will immediately begin to remove unauthorized outposts.”
Didn’t say: Exactly which outposts are considered “unauthorized” or what will happen to the 150-plus established Jewish settlements and the 200,000 Israelis who live in them.
Said: “There can be no compromise with terror.”
Didn’t say: How Israel will respond if homicide bombings continue.
*
President Bush
Said: “I am strongly committed to Israel’s security as a vibrant Jewish state” – it was key to Israelis that Bush said “Jewish” in describing Israel.
Didn’t say: Why he wasn’t able to get Mazen to speak those same words.
Said: The U.S. government will help train a new Palestinian security service.
Didn’t say: What will happen to the Palestinian militia groups, as well as Hamas, a terror group that also provides some health and social services to Palestinians.