Bush 'costing US its friends'

2004-05-04 08:01

Washington - Former US diplomats and government officials are collecting signatures on a letter urging President George Bush to reconsider US support for Israel.

The diplomats, some of whom belong to the American Educational Trust (AET), plan to release the text at a press conference in Washington on Tuesday.

The inspiration was a letter signed by 52 retired British diplomats, who urged British Prime Minister Tony Blair to reconsider Britain's approach to the Middle East.

The letter was circulated in America after Bush's April 14 endorsement of Israeli Prime Minister Ariel Sharon's plan for an Israeli withdrawal from all of the Gaza Strip, but only six of 10 West Bank settlements.

Bush, for his part, had said Palestinian refugees could not expect to return to territory their families had occupied before 1948.

Assassinations

"Your unqualified support of Sharon's extra-judicial assassinations, Israel's Berlin Wall-like barrier, its harsh military measures in occupied territories and now your endorsement of Sharon's unilateral plan are costing our country its credibility, prestige and friends," the Financial Times quoted the letter as saying.

However, Israel's deputy Prime Minister Ehud Olmert told public radio on Monday that Sharon might modify the plan after his party overwhelmingly defeated it in a referendum on Sunday. It was a diplomatic blow to Bush, following his endorsement.

"Early responses are staggering," the AET said in a brief statement on Monday, adding: "Signatories are united by their belief that the US government is heading toward great danger.

"Our hope is that both political parties will take heed and listen to the voices of experienced diplomats," it said.

The Financial Times said on April 30 that the letter had been drafted by Andrew Killgore, a former US ambassador to Qatar, and Richard Curtiss, former chief inspector of the US Information Agency.

The newspaper said the missive was to have been sent to the White House on that date, but was held back to allow more former envoys to sign it.

It reported that former ambassadors to Iraq, India, Saudi Arabia, Syria, Egypt and the United Arab Emirates had signed the letter.

Bush stunned many Middle East governments with his strong support for Sharon's plan during the Israeli prime minister's visit to Washington last month.

The Washington-based AET is also critical of the US-led invasion and occupation of Iraq.

- AFP