DATE=04/04/2002

TYPE=EDITORIAL

NUMBER=0-09803

TITLE=EDITORIAL: BUSH STATEMENT ON THE MIDEAST

INTERNET=YES

CONTENT=THIS EDITORIAL IS BEING RELEASED FOR USE BY ALL SERVICES. PLEASE NOTE CHANGE IN INTRODUCTION AND ENDING.

Anncr: Next, President George W. Bush speaks out on the crisis in the Middle East.

Voice: On April 4th, President George W. Bush called for an end to terrorism in the Middle East. "When an eighteen-year-old Palestinian girl is induced to blow herself up, and in the process kills a seventeen-year-old Israeli girl," said Mr. Bush, "the future itself is dying -- the future of the Palestinian people and the future of the Israeli people. We mourn the dead, and we mourn the damage done to the hope of peace, the hope of [the Israelis]. . .for a Jewish state at peace with its neighbors, the hope of the Palestinian people to build their own independent state."

"No nation can negotiate with terrorists," said Mr. Bush. "For there is no way to make peace with those whose only goal is death."

"All states," said President Bush, "must keep their promise, made in a vote in the United Nations, to actively oppose terror in all its forms. No nation can pick and choose its terrorist friends." Mr. Bush called "on the Palestinian Authority and all governments in the region to do everything in their power to stop terrorist activities, to disrupt terrorist financing, and to stop inciting violence by glorifying terror in state-owned media, or telling suicide bombers they are martyrs. They're not martyrs," said Mr. Bush. "They're murderers. And they undermine the cause of the Palestinian people."

President Bush said, "Those governments, like Iraq, that reward parents for the sacrifice of their children are guilty of soliciting murder of the worst kind. All who care about the Palestinian people should join in condemning and acting against groups like Al-Aqsa, Hezbollah, Hamas, Islamic Jihad, and all groups which opposed the peace process and seek the destruction of Israel."

President Bush said, "Israel is facing a terrible and serious challenge. For seven days, it has acted to root out terrorist nests. America recognizes Israel's right to defend itself from terror. Yet, to lay the foundations of future peace, I ask Israel to halt incursions into Palestinian-controlled areas and begin the withdrawal from those cities it has recently occupied."

"As Israel steps back," said Mr. Bush, "responsible Palestinian leaders and Israel's Arab neighbors must step forward and show the world that they are truly on the side of peace. The choice and the burden will be theirs."

President Bush said, "The world expects an immediate cease-fire, immediate resumption of security cooperation with Israel against terrorism, an immediate order to crack down on terrorist networks. I expect better leadership," said President Bush, "and I expect results."

Anncr: President Bush spoke out on the Middle East crisis on April 4th. If you have a comment, please write to Editorials, V-O-A, Washington, D-C, 20237, U-S-A. You may also comment at www-dot-ibb-dot-gov-slash-editorials, or fax us at (202) 619-1043.