Middle East Initiative: Bush speech: US President George Bush yesterday stated he was ready to unveil his recommendations for a road map to peace in the Middle East, a process which could lead to the creation of an independent Palestinian state in two years.
Mr Bush linked the timing of his announcement with the Palestinian parliament's appointment of Mahmoud Abbas as prime minister, saying "we have reached a hopeful moment for progress."
The statement appeared designed as a concession to Arab states on the eve of possible war with Iraq, and was in response to urgent pressure from European leaders, especially British Prime Minister Tony Blair, for the US to get involved in resolving the increasingly bloody Israeli-Palestinian conflict.
The appointment of a Palestinian prime minister, which could be approved at the end of next week, means the US would not have to deal directly with Yassar Arafat, the only regional leader with whom Mr Bush has refused to talk.
Mr Bush repeated his earlier statements that Israeli settlements must stop when progress towards peace begins, a qualification which critics say gives Israel an incentive to create new settlements before a deal gets under way.
Recently US officials said that the road map, compiled by the US, the European Union, Russia and the UN, would have to wait until after any war with Iraq, and Mr Bush told reporters that removing Iraqi President Saddam Hussein would pave the way for Middle East peace.
"To be a credible and responsible partner, the new Palestinian Prime Minister must hold a position of real authority," Mr Bush said. "We expect that such a Palestinian Prime Minister will be confirmed soon. Immediately upon confirmation, the road map for peace will be given to the Palestinians and the Israelis. This road map will set forth a sequence of steps toward the goals I set out on June 24th, 2002, goals shared by all the parties."
On that date Mr Bush proposed a plan for a Palestinian state whose borders and sovereignty would be provisional, pending a "final settlement" to be negotiated in three years, dealing with final borders, the capital, ultimate sovereignty and the end of Israeli occupation.
The announcement followed an intense round of calls by Mr Bush to world leaders, including Egyptian President Hosni Mubarak, Jordan's King Abdullah II, and Crown Prince Abdullah of Saudi Arabia. Mr Blair called Mr Arafat, who remains in charge of the Palestinian Authority.
US Secretary of State Colin Powell called UN Secretary General Kofi Annan, the EU foreign and defence policy co-ordinator, Javier Solana, and Foreign Ministers Yoriko Kawaguchi of Japan, Ana Palacio of Spain, and George Papandreou of Greece, whose government currently heads the EU.
The announcement was made by Mr Bush in the Rose Garden of the White House with Mr Powell standing by his side. Neither took any questions from reporters.
Mr Bush called upon all parties in the Middle East to "abandon old hatreds and to meet their responsibilities for peace."
The Palestinian state "must be a reformed and peaceful and democratic state that abandons forever the use of terror," he said. "The government of Israel, as the terror threat is removed and security improves, must take concrete steps to support the emergence of a viable and credible Palestinian state, and to work as quickly as possible toward a final status agreement. As progress is made toward peace, settlement activity in the occupied territories must end. And the Arab states must oppose terrorism, support the emergence of a peaceful and democratic Palestine, and state clearly that they will live in peace with Israel."
Mr Bush said he was personally committed to implementing the road map, which has been criticised by Israeli Prime Minister Ariel Sharon. "We believe that people who live in freedom are more likely to reject bitterness, blind hatred and terror; and are far more likely to turn their energy toward reconciliation, reform and development."
On Thursday, Mr Powell said "continuing violence and terrorism from the Palestinian side directed against the state of Israel" was hampering the US and Israel in seeking an accord.