Bush backs Gaza pullout
2005-04-12 09:19
Texas - United States President George W Bush on Monday backed Ariel Sharon's plan to withdraw from the Gaza Strip, while urging the Israeli premier to stop all expansion of Jewish settlements in the West Bank under the Mideast peace roadmap.
As the two stood side-by-side outside the US leader's private ranch in Crawford, Texas, Bush praised Sharon for his "strong visionary leadership" in initiating the Gaza withdrawal, known as the disengagement plan.
"I strongly support his courageous initiative to disengage from Gaza and part of the West Bank," he said, referring to the withdrawal of more than 8 000 Jewish settlers from Gaza and four isolated West Bank settlements.
He also urged the Palestinians to co-ordinate with Israel over the evacuation, which is due to start on July 20.
"The prime minister is willing to co-ordinate the implementation of the disengagement plan with the Palestinians. I urge the Palestinian leadership to accept his offer," Bush said.
Comply with peace blueprint
Affirming the internationally drafted roadmap as "the only way forward", Bush urged both parties to comply with the obligations laid down in the peace blueprint.
The president urged the Palestinians to "combat terrorism in all its forms", and took a strong line with Israel, calling on the US ally to live up to its roadmap commitments and not push ahead with plans to expand settlements in the West Bank.
"I told the prime minister of my concern that Israel not undertake any activity that contravenes its roadmap obligations or prejudices final status negotiations," Bush said.
"Therefore Israel should remove unauthorised outposts and meet its roadmap obligations regarding settlements in the West Bank," he said, later driving the point home: "The roadmap clearly says no expansion of settlements."
Reaffirming his commitment to the roadmap as "the only plan which sets the political agenda between us and the Palestinians", Sharon pledged to remove unauthorised outposts, and to meet all commitments with regard to West Bank settlements.
"I will fulfil my commitment to you, Mr President, to remove unauthorised outposts and settlements. Israel will also meet all its obligations under the roadmap," said Sharon.
At the same time, the president again signalled his support for Israel to hold on to large settlement blocs in the West Bank, such as Maale Adumim, where Israeli expansion plans have angered Palestinian leaders and prompted a sharp rebuke from Washington.
Even as Sharon promised to comply with roadmap obligations, he said Israel was keen to see "territorial continguity" between Jerusalem and Maale Adumim, which lies 5km east of the Holy City.