DATE=05/10/02

TYPE=CORRESPONDENT REPORT

TITLE=BUSH BETHLEHEM (S)

NUMBER=2-289656

BYLINE=SCOTT STEARNS

DATELINE=WHITE HOUSE

CONTENT=

VOICED AT:

INTRO: President Bush says the end of the Israeli siege of the Church of the Nativity should increase opportunities for political talks. V-O-A's Scott Stearns reports, Mr. Bush says both sides need to assume responsibility in fighting terrorism.

TEXT: President Bush says he is pleased the stand-off ended without violence. In a written statement, Mr. Bush said the end of the Israeli siege is a positive development that removes an obstacle to restoring security cooperation between the parties.

The Bush administration wants to get Israeli and Palestinian leaders back to those security talks. The president is sending C-I-A Director George Tenet back to the region to help restructure Palestinian security forces with a unified command, creating what the president calls "accountability" in the fight against terrorism.

Mr. Bush says the end of the 39-day siege in Bethlehem should also advance prospects for resuming political talks. But that will only happen, he says, if all parties assume responsibility for fighting terror and promoting peace.

Like the nonviolent end to the house arrest of Palestinian leader Yasser Arafat, Mr. Bush says the end of the Bethlehem standoff was achieved through the efforts of a number of individuals and governments. He thanked the European Union and U-S consular officers whom he said were critical to the positive outcome. (Signed)

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