Bush Attacks "Baseless Gossip" On Arab TV

(AP)  In a rare interview with an Arabic satellite news station, U.S. President George W. Bush denied that the United States is gearing up to attack Iran and said he remains committed to working diplomatically to resolve the standoff with Tehran over its nuclear program.

Bush, in an hour-long interview with Al-Arabiya TV, also reiterated his pledge to negotiate with Iran if it gives up its nuclear program.

"I have said that if they suspend their nuclear program, we will be at the table," Bush said, according to a transcript of the interview the White House released on Friday. "But they have so far refused to do that."

Bush brushed off as "gossip" reports in the Arab press that he has issued orders to senior U.S. military officials to prepare for an attack on Iran at the end of January or in February.

"I would call that empty propaganda," Bush said. "Evidently, there's a lot of gossip in the parts of the country - world that try to scare people about me personally or my country or what we stand for. And that kind of gossip is just what it is. It's gossip. It's baseless gossip."

In the hour-long interview, Bush acknowledged that some people in the Middle East think he is against Islam and is a man of war. The interview was conducted on Thursday in the Oval Office and two other areas of the White House by the Saudi-owned satellite news broadcaster.

"I understand the images of my country have been distorted," Bush said. "And I understand people say things about me personally that simply aren't true. And so I appreciate the chance to come and talk to you directly and to talk to your viewers directly about what's in my heart and about the fact that my country is a country of peace."

The president said he was optimistic about the chances for Middle East peace ahead of a U.S.-sponsored conference expected to be held in Annapolis, Maryland, in mid- to late-November. Arab leaders have expressed deep skepticism over the conference.

"I'm very optimistic we can achieve a two-state solution," he said, as Israelis and Palestinians are preparing and discussing the framework of the U.S.-sponsored peace talks. "It's an opportunity for there to be a serious, substantive discussions about the way forward, and a two-state solution."

Bush pledged to support Palestinian security forces and help President Mahmoud Abbas financially so that ordinary people's lives would be improved. He added that U.S. strategy is to get all parties to the table for general peace, with the first step being a commitment from Israelis and Palestinians to the concept of peace before embarking on the road map to create two states living peacefully side by side.

Arab leaders, however, have expressed doubt over the seriousness of the conference and expressed fear that it will be little more than an empty photo opportunity.

Bush said he was "deeply concerned" about interference from Syria and other neighboring countries, into presidential elections in Lebanon. He also urged the international community to follow through quickly in holding an international tribunal to bring to justice those who killed former Prime Minister Rafik Hariri, slain in a massive 2005 truck bombing.

"I'm frustrated, frankly, by the pace at which the tribunal is lingering. It's not moving," Bush said. "There needs to be a definitive moment where the evidence is laid out, and if it's clear evidence."

[speakinup]

grazinggoat - I believe Palestine only became a country in the last century, and was first given land by the British. Where did this land come from ? Weren''t there people there before the british took it ? How long have the jews been living in this area. I believe the Bible mentions them being there over 3000 years ago.

And now you want us to give land back to the Palestinineans ? Hey, you''d better call your title insurance folks...

[grazinggoat]

singinrick,

-For your information there as many as 1 million Christian Palestinians in that same diapora around the world. What fate do you reserve those CHRISTIAN Palestinians? Would God allow them to return back to the land they were chased from?

[grazinggoat]

-SickRick, you are such a blind when it fits your agenda! You are so possessed by your failing dream and lying fairytales that you blind your eye (if you have one at all) on about 10 million Palestinians who are scattered around Palestine, namely in Gaza, West-Bank, Lebanon, Jordan, Syria, Koweit, Qatar, and other Arab peninsula kingdoms and Emirates, Egypt, Lybia, Tunis and some states in Europe. The Palestinian Diaspora is almost as important as the Jewish Diaspora.

And they are living in the worst conditions ever. Mainly because of blind people like you and corrupt leaders maintained and entertained by our dear administration, wehereas the real representatives THEY have chosen to elect are repressed, killed by our saint administration. This is more real than your dream and immature approach to the Holy.

I''m happy you ire at me Rick, that means I''m seeing somethig you con''t even see, because you are blinded by a specific agenda; yours.

[Krazcarl]

SINGINGRICK get that hooter out of your mouth and quite blocking the blog your name alone is enough to make 99% of people to avoid your post...Yes your a siilly queer and we all know.

[grazinggoat]

If the historic documents, comments written by eyewitnesses and declarations by the most authoritative Arab scholars are still not enough, let us quote the most important source for muslim Arabs:

"And thereafter We [Allah] said to the Children of Israel: ''''Dwell securely in the Promised Land. And when the last warning will come to pass, we will gather you together in a mingled crowd''''.".

- Qur''''an 17:104 -

Any sincere muslim must recognize the Land they call "Palestine" as the Jewish Homeland, according to the book considered by muslims to be the most sacred word and Allah''''s ultimate revelation.
Posted by singinrick

-SickRick, you are such an idiot-blind when it fits your agenda! You are so possessed by your failing dream and lying fairytales that you blind your eye (if you have one at all) on about 10 million Palestinians who are scattered around Palestine, namely in Gaza, West-Bank, Lebanon, Jordan, Syria, Koweit, Qatar, and other Arab peninsula kingdoms and Emirates, Egypt, Lybia, Tunis and some states in Europe. The Palestinian Diaspora is almost as important as the Jewish Diaspora.
-For your information there as many as 1 million Christian Palestinians in that same diapora around the world.
-The Jewish Palestinians have been allowed to stay on the Land when the Jewsih European invasion has been organised and carried out in the beginning and middle of Last Century.

[zootallures2]

They even had a candle light 9/11 vigil in Tehran in 2001 for the victims. Go search for it. It''s true. And what did they get?

You are total ******** creeps!

[wolf563]

All the *** in the M.E, is costing BILLIONS OF $$ .Who is going to put the monies back in the coffers . The baby boom is all but over and the downward trend is about to make a show over the next 10 years . THE U.S.A. is going into the crapper and taking the rest of the world with it .

[hawksprings]

""I am totally amazed that Bush still has backing
of the few republicans. Republicans are either dumb or
stupid or BOTH.....""
Posted by tylenol6

Liberal Dembots and the MM continually say how dumb President Bush is, and yet he continually outsmarts them politically.

So how dumb are the Dembots?

...

[tylenol6]

The democrats and republicans are ONE OF THE SAME. No one can tell me any different. The democrats NOT going
to end the war and have no plans to either. Pelosi and
Reid are both SCUM and worthless to say the least. Actually, I have to laugh when I see Nancy (AIPAC) Pelosi with a sign that says NEW WAY FORWARD CONGRESS. What a joke and embarrassment. Nazi Nancy covers for
Bush and the criminals. It sure tells you something
when she says"impeachment is off the table." I would
like to see Pelosi IMPEACHED. She looks rediculous with her new facelift surgery. She can''t even speak
her face is so tight.

[tylenol6]

The democrats and republicans are ONE OF THE SAME. No one can tell me any different. The democrats NOT going
to end the war and have no plans to either. Pelosi and
Reid are both SCUM and worthless to say the least. Actually, I have to laugh when I see Nancy (AIPAC) Pelosi with a sign that says NEW WAY FORWARD CONGRESS. What a joke and embarrassment. Nazi Nancy covers for
Bush and the criminals. It sure tells you something
when she says impeachment is off the table. I would
like to see Pelosi IMPEACHED. She looks rediculous with her new facelift surgery. She can''t even speak
her face is so tight.