By KUNA
Washington : Just hours before departing for a wide-ranging trip to the Middle East, President George W. Bush on Tuesday said he will stress the vision of a Palestinian state, the importance of Arab allies helping that vision become reality, and the U.S. commitment to security in the region, particularly in regards to the Iranian threat.
“We are going to go over and stress three themes,” Bush told reporters at the White House as he prepared to fly to Israel for the first stop of his trip.
“First theme is that it is important to lay out a vision in order for there to be a Palestinian state once road map obligations are met,” Bush said, referring to the years-old U.S. and European Union-backed plan aimed at creating conditions that could lead to creation of such a state. “What has to happen in order for there to be a peaceful settlement of a long-standing dispute is there to be outlines of a state clearly defined, so that at some point in time, the Palestinians who agree that Israel ought to exist and agree that a state ought to live side by side with Israel in peace have something to be for.” He said.
Palestinians “need to have a vision that is clearly defined, that competes with the terrorists and the killers who murder the innocent people to stop the advance of democracy,” the President said.
“Secondly, I intend to work with our Arab friends and allies on this very issue and remind them about, one, the strategy, and two, the obligations they have to help this vision become reality, and thirdly, remind our friends and allies that the United States is committed to security in the region,” Bush said.
A National Intelligence Report released last month, which concluded that Iran in 2003 suspended its nuclear weapons program, “sent a mixed signal,” Bush said.
“And I am going to remind them (Arab allies) what I said in that press conference (last month), … ” Bush said. “Iran was a threat, Iran is a threat, and Iran will continue to be a threat if they are allowed to learn how to enrich uranium.” Bush said he was looking forward to “making it clear that the United States of America sees clearly the threats of this world, and we intend to work with our friends and allies to make that part of the world more secure.”