DATE= 04/12/02
TYPE=CORRESPONDENT REPORT
TITLE=BUSH MIDEAST (L)
NUMBER=2-288648
BYLINE=SCOTT STEARNS
DATELINE=WHITE HOUSE
CONTENT=
VOICED AT:
INTRO: President Bush condemns Friday's bus bombing in Jerusalem. VOA's Scott Stearns reports, the Bush administration says Palestinian leader Yasser Arafat must do more to stop attacks against Israeli civilians.
TEXT: White House spokesman Ari Fleischer condemned the bombing, saying it will not stop U-S efforts to reach a peace accord.
/// FLEISCHER ACT ///
There are clearly people in the region who want to disrupt Secretary Powell's peace mission, and the president will not be deterred from seeking peace.
/// END ACT ///
Mr. Fleischer again singled-out Mr. Arafat, saying the attack is a reminder that the Palestinian leader must renounce violence.
/// SECOND FLEISCHER ACT ///
The president is very troubled by what happened this morning and the president expects Yasser Arafat to denounce this morning's attack, to step-up and show leadership.
/// END ACT ///
State Department officials say Secretary Powell is reconsidering a Saturday meeting with the Palestinan leader. Mr. Fleischer says the president has given the secretary "maximum flexibility" in deciding how best to pursue his mission.
/// THIRD FLEISCHER ACT ///
The president has given flexibility to this mission. It was flexible all along, but the president is very troubled by what happened. And the president believes that if Yasser Arafat meant what he committed in the Oslo Accords to denounce terrorism, that today would be a particularly apt day for Yasser Arafat to publicly express himself in denunciation of this terrorist attack and to show leadership.
/// END ACT ///
Mr. Fleischer would not say whether Secretary Powell's meeting with Mr. Arafat would be canceled if the Palestinian leader does not denounce Friday's attack.
The White House spokesman says Mr. Arafat has yet to earn the president's trust. In contrast, he says Mr. Bush believes Israeli Prime Minister Ariel Sharon is a man of peace.
(SIGNED)
NEB/MEM