JERUSALEM, May 14, 2008
Bush Pushes Peace While Market Is Attacked
Despite Troubling Realities In Region, President Says Democratic Israel A Cause For Optimism
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President Bush talks with Israeli Prime Minister Ehud Olmert, Wednesday, May 14, 2008, during a meeting at the Prime Minister's residence in Jerusalem. (AP Photo/Susan Walsh)
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President Bush and first lady Laura Bush wave as they arrive at Andrews Air Force Base, Md., Tuesday, May 13, 2008. (AP Photo/Jose Luis Magana)
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President Bush, center, flanked by Israeli Prime Minister Ehud Olmert, left, and Palestinian Authority President Mahmoud Abbas, right, makes a statement on the Middle East peace process in the Rose Garden of the White House in Washington, Wednesday, Nov. 28, 2007. (AP)
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Interactive
Mideast Conflict
Events, key players and a history of the world's most unstable region.
As President Bush greeted Israeli officials at the airport on his arrival, Prime Minister Ehud Olmert drew aside the White House national security adviser, Stephen Hadley, for a few quiet words. A key player in the Mideast talks, Olmert has been weakened by a corruption investigation that has raised doubts about his ability to make compromises necessary for a deal with Palestinian leaders. He has promised to resign if indicted.
"Holding on. Holding on. Don't worry," Olmert told Hadley. Picked up by media microphones, the anxious assurance did little to assuage questions about Olmert's influence or grip on power.
Within hours, there was even more troubling news.
Bush and Olmert met to discuss the peace process and threats to Israel's security - only to learn that a rocket fired from Gaza had slammed into a crowded shopping center in the southern Israeli city of Ashkelon. At least 14 people were wounded. Two militant groups, the Iranian-backed Islamic Jihad and the Hamas-linked Popular Resistance Committees, claimed responsibility.
"What happened today is entirely intolerable and unacceptable," Olmert declared at an Israeli celebration Wednesday night during which Bush was honored. "The government of Israel is committed to stopping it, and we will take the necessary steps so that this will stop." The audience erupted in applause before he finished the sentence.
The White House blamed Hamas, which controls the Gaza Strip. "Political goals will never be achieved by launching rockets from Gaza onto innocent women and children," the U.S. said.
CBS News correspondent Robert Berger said regular citizens on both sides of the divide were quick to voice their pessimism about any lasting peace agreement being reached by the end of the year - a goal Mr. Bush had voiced firm belief in after a summit last year in Maryland.
Berger reported that Israelis blame the Palestinians for the impasse in the peace process and the Palestinians blame Israel - but neither side believes the latest shuttle diplomacy by the American leader will have a significant effect.
Welcomed as Israel's closest ally, Bush was the star guest at an evening of music, dance and speeches marking the 60th anniversary of Israel's founding in the wake of the Nazi holocaust. Bush's approval ratings are at record lows at home, but he got a hero's reception here.
The audience of several thousand people included American businessman Sheldon Adelson, whom Israeli police questioned Monday in the Olmert probe. Wednesday night, the billionaire casino mogul sat in the front row with Bush, first lady Laura Bush and other U.S. and Israeli officials, including Olmert.
In 1948, the United States was the first country to recognize Israel, 11 minutes after the Israelis declared statehood. In that decision, President Harry Truman broke with his secretary of state, George Marshall, and most of the foreign policy community.
"Because Harry Truman did what was right instead of following the conventional wisdom, we can say today that America is Israel's oldest and best friend in the world," Bush said to cheers from conference guests.
"America stands for peace, and so does Israel," Bush said. "And as we stand in peace, we must understand the realities of the world in which we live. We must be steadfast. And we must be strong in the face of those who murder the innocent to achieve their objectives. In the long run, we share a powerful belief and a powerful weapon against the terrorists. We believe that the surest way to defeat the enemies of hatred is to advance the cause of hope through the cause of freedom."
Bush said there will be a day when every child of the Middle East can live in peace and freedom.
Olmert told Bush: "You are an unusual person. You are an unusual leader. And you are an unusual friend of the people of Israel."
Bush's eyes teared up. He received an ovation from the audience and a hug from Olmert.
With barely 250 days remaining in his presidency, Bush is trying to leave his mark with a historic peace agreement and the foundations for a Palestinian state before he leaves office in January.
"I suspect if you looked back 60 years ago and tried to guess where Israel would be at that time, it would be hard to be able to project such a prosperous, hopeful land," Bush said as he opened talks with Israeli President Shimon Peres. "No question people would have said, 'Well, we'd be surrounded by hostile forces.'
"But I doubt people would have been able to see the modern Israel, which is one reason I bring so much optimism to the Middle East, because what happened here is possible everywhere."
Israel's success stands in contrast to the dire poverty suffered by millions of Palestinian refugees and their descendants scattered in the West Bank and Gaza and in desperate camps across the Middle East.
The creation of Israel was the birth of the Palestinian refugee problem; Palestinians refer to Israel's creation as "al-Naqba," or "the catastrophe." Bush is largely seen as a friend and ally of Israel, at the expense of the Palestinians.
While celebrating Israel's birthday in a speech Thursday before the Knesset, the Israeli parliament, Bush is expected to acknowledge that Palestinians view the anniversary very differently. Bush will state his concern for the daily lives of Palestinians and say that Israel is responsible for helping to improve conditions, a senior administration official said. Olmert, in Bush's view, is a partner who agrees with this.
Bush also will look far ahead and offer his vision of Israel on its 120th anniversary - a vision that includes peaceful coexistence with a Palestinian state, White House spokesman Gordon Johndroe said.
"The United States and Israel share a belief that all people have the right to live in peace, that democracy is the best way to ensure human rights, that religious liberty is fundamental to civilized society and that using violence to achieve political objectives is always wrong," Johndroe said in a preview of the speech's themes.
Peres, meeting with Bush in the trellis-covered sandstone portion of his gardens, endorsed Bush's call for Mideast peace, saying Israelis want to work with Palestinians.
"We would like to see the Palestinians living together," he said. "They have suffered a great deal of their life. The separation is a tragedy for them and for the rest of us."
In the Gaza Strip, Hamas called Bush's visit a "bad omen."
"No greetings to you, Bush, on our holy land," said Hamas strongman Mahmoud Zahar. "Your people will punish you one day."
Israeli military raids on the Gaza Strip killed two Palestinian civilians and three militants on Wednesday, Palestinian medical officials said.
Before Bush arrived, Eli Yishai, a right-wing minister in Olmert's Cabinet, said the prime minister had agreed to the construction of hundreds of homes in a West Bank settlement. Olmert spokesman Mark Regev said no decision had been made.
In current peace talks, the Palestinians demand that Israel stop building in areas they both want for a future state, and Israel's failure to do so - despite pressure from the Bush administration - has increased Palestinian disappointment and frustration.
© MMVIII, CBS Interactive Inc. All Rights Reserved. This material may not be published, broadcast, rewritten, or redistributed. The Associated Press contributed to this report.
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See all 120 CommentsThat makes it 936 Big Ones for the Liar-in-Chief!
LOL
The term "too little, too late" springs to mind. Bush should have made an effort five years ago, instead of egging the Israelis on in their use of excessive force against Palestinian civilians. His disastrous policy guaranteed that extremists on both sides are now in power. Everyone is waiting for Bush to go, whether it''s in tackling climate change, solving the Arab-Israeli conflict or anything else. The lame duck president will accomplish nothing in his last days.
Posted by cfin5
Yeah, happy birthday, Israel. Maybe one day you''ll grow up, and actually try making friends with your neighbors. And you won''t need daily handouts from your American sponsors.
come on, November.......
I guess all the walls they put up to herd the Palestinians together like cattle, and helocopter gunships blowing up cars and houses in the middle of cities, and soldiers shooting down women and children and embargoing consumer goods to Palestinian areas kind of make me forget that!
It''s far too late for Mr. Bush to even think he can get some type of peace settlement between them!
Ya can''t push peace. Ya gotta CRAM IT DOWN THEIR FREAKIN THROATS! You know, some tanks, Smart bombs, shock and awe. Get some peace or get DEAD! If W aint up to it, BIG JOHN will be.
War Monger Fascist SOB Bush "Pushes Peace" ?
This is the Shock and Awe "War President" who LIED us into Needless Horrific War.
This is the SOB who has spent $500 Billion on this f**king war. Five MILES of end-to-end US dead troop coffins.
Shredded constitution, torture, domestic spying, fear mongering, tax cuts for the rich, Backwater, Ahbu Gahrib, War Profiteering, Oil Stealing......
what propaganda drivel.
Do not be a corporate media CHUMP.
JAIL BUSH JAIL CHENEY
What... is the president claiming responsibility for a Democratic Israel now?
Selling Iraq to the U.S. is what best describes a secret security accord between Bush and the Iraqi government. This negotiation is set to conclude in late July, will not only establish the basis for a long term U.S. occupation in Iraq, but will also turn the country into a U.S. colony and yet another military base for Washington in the Middle East.
THIS IS ILLEGAL!!!!! The american people need to know
about this..........
FACT....................All of congress is bought and
paid for by Israel. All of congress needs to be thrown
out of office. "ISRAELIAMERICA"
illegal donations. He said he would resign if indicted.
Bush stated Olmert is a "honest man." That''s real funny
coming from one crook to another!!!!!!!!!!!
-YehudIDIOT-Oldmut forgets that he''s been a criminal (together with his silent supporter Bush) of the Summer 2006 attacks of Lebanese civilians destroying over 40% of CIVILIAN infrastructure and killing over 1000 Lebanese civilian. This will stay as painful in his political and actual life as a thorn in his foot for ever and ever...
-Liar in Chief Bush the ''silenced'' accomplice is as indictable as Olmert would be.
board??? Sounds like he needs to take some of Bush''s
prozac................
quit the tylenol and start taking drugs..you need it
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Posted by earth56 at 12:29 AM : May 15, 2008
-Are you a mechegueneh?
valium or prozac and go to bed.
Just wanted to tell you, you sound like your 2 years old
and really very immature. Just thought I''d tell you that.
If these besieged folks can smuggle all these rockets besides making their own I suppose that eventually the refugee camps surrounding Israel and that are not under its control will easily get their arsenal to finally gain some leverage in a military battle.
Israel has pretty much reached its peak in war technology, the Palestinians can still add a lot and they seem to be on their way.
1st thing, he had to be pulled off the golf course on that day to do his job & was photographed 2 months later doing what ???? ---- Playing Golf
McCain -- I was for it, before I was against it - Thanks for the cash Sudan, let them eat cake
And for the 1st time in our nation''s history we have become the enemy we fight -- A nation that tortures
McCain - "I was against it, before I was for it"
"You use some pretty fuzzy math there.
Al Queda was in Somallia,Sudan,Afghanistan, and countless other countrys that they are out of since 9/11"
Are you trying to tell me that al-qaeda aren''t still active in those countries?
You must lead a very sheltered life because they are still there.
Or do you think they walk around with little signs advertising their presence?
Considering you can''t even spell properly, I don''t put much faith in your comments.
Moron.
If you knew he had the answers, then you would know what the answers were, and therefore still have no need for torture.
So far, Bush''s torturings haven''t saved one "city" from being destroyed, in fact, Bush is the only one who has destroyed entire cities.
You can save countless cities from being destroyed now, if that is really your concern, by getting rid of the Bush Cheney klan.
You have to give them credit, Al Qaeda has an amazing gift of being able to make you forget that they are the creation and instrument of the CIA, even though the information is history and publically accessible.
"I remember when [diplomat Sergio Vieira] de Mello, who was at the U.N., got killed in Baghdad as a result of these murderers taking this good man''s life. And I was playing golf, I think I was in central Texas, and they pulled me off the golf course and I said, it''s just not worth it any more to do."
CBS has news footage of Bush golfing nearly 2 months after de Mello was killed. Bush lies about some joke "sacrifice" he supposedly makes for our troops and he totally lied about it.
Bush lies about giving up golf.
"I remember when [diplomat Sergio Vieira] de Mello, who was at the U.N., got killed in Baghdad as a result of these murderers taking this good man''''s life. And I was playing golf, I think I was in central Texas, and they pulled me off the golf course and I said, it''''s just not worth it any more to do."
CBS has news footage of Bush golfing nearly 2 months after de Mello was killed. Bush talks about some "sacrifice" he supposedly makes for our troops and he totally lied about it. Some honor when you have to just make up a total lie to make it look like you give a *** about the troops you''ve sentenced to your unwinnable quagmire.
He''s shown playing long after his "sign of solidarity" with American families whose sons and daughters have been needlessly sacrificed in Iraq -
Iraq, the country that had nothing to do with 911, where there was no Al-Qaeda, where there were no WMD
A bold faced liar this poor excuse for a president!
THERE IS NO DIFFERENT BETWEEN THE TRUMPHED UP REASON THE REPUBLICANS AND THEIR NEOCONS SENT AMERICA TO WAR IN IRAQ IN 2003 THAN THE NAZI ATTACK ON POLAND IN 1939!
BOTH ARE BUILT ON LIES AND DECEPTION AND THE NAZIS HAD THEIR DAY IN COURT FOR WWII SO WILL BUSH CHENEY AND THE NEOCONS FOR IRAQ!
AMERICA STAND UP OR SHUT UP!
That''s just what Jordan did in the 1970s when Yasir Arafat and his PLO attempted a coup from their base in a refugee settlement near the capital Amman.
Jordan''s army and air force shelled and bombed the refugee camp continuously, mercilessly and relentlessly until no-one fired back.
At the end of three days, 20,000 Palestinan refugees were dead, but, unfortunately, Yasir Arafat and his sidekicks made a cowardly escape and re-established the PLO in Lebanon.
Name anything Israel''s done over a 3-day period that even comes close to what Jordan did to 20,000 of its helpless "brothers".
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Posted by Smirk5 at 03:38 AM : May 15, 2008
+ report abuse
LOL Yeah I saw that... I watched Countdown Last Night and it was on there. The Comment by Keith Oberman was EXCELLENT as well.
Sometime it is better to shut up
The taxpayers money wasted on this trip alone would feed 1000 homeless people for a year. He needs to take a Greyhound bus to Crawford and spend the rest of his term clearing brush.
Posted by underdogus at 09:01 AM : May 15, 2008
Why - what''s going to happen to him?
Bush squandered ALL credibility that the US ever had, and mcsame will never get elected.
If Israel attacks them, they''ll be attacked repeatedly until they''re gone - and mercifully, there will finally be peace in the mideast.
i guess War criminals love to honor each other!!!!!
bow down to ur jewish masters dude...
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