DATE=05/06/2002

TYPE=EDITORIAL

NUMBER=0-09867

TITLE=EDITORIAL: HOPE FOR THE MIDDLE EAST

INTERNET=Yes

CONTENT=THIS EDITORIAL IS BEING RELEASED FOR USE BY ALL SERVICES.

Anncr: Next, an editorial reflecting the views of the United States Government:

Voice: Conflict is not inevitable in the Middle East. Distrust need not be permanent. As President George W. Bush said, "Peace is possible when we break free of old patterns and habits of hatred." That, said Mr. Bush, "is the history of the region. But it need not and must not be its fate."

On May 2nd, the U.S. announced that it will be a sponsor - along with the European Union, the United Nations, and Russia -- of a Middle East peace conference. U.S. Secretary of State Colin Powell said that the U.S. is committed "to the promotion of serious and accelerated negotiations toward a settlement."

The United States has a vision of two states, Palestine and Israel, living side by side in peace and security. This vision offers the Palestinian people a new opportunity to choose how they live. President Bush said, "A Palestinian state must be achieved by negotiating an end to the occupation. But such a state cannot be based on a foundation of terror or corruption." A Palestinian state must be based on freedom, democracy, the rule of law, and must be accountable and must respect the individual liberties of its citizens.

The Israelis are beginning to withdraw from the Palestinian territories they recently occupied. Israel must understand that its response to recent terrorist attacks is only a temporary measure.

The situation in Ramallah has been resolved nonviolently. President Bush said that he was encouraged by his meeting with Crown Prince Abdullah of Saudi Arabia, and with the steps the Saudi leader has taken to advance his vision of peace.

President Bush has called on all parties in the Middle East to step up to their responsibilities to end terror and to build better lives for the people of the region. Mr. Bush said, "In recent days, we're beginning to see some signs of progress."

Anncr: That was an editorial reflecting the views of the United States Government. 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.