Rice backs Palestinian statehood

[Englander]

Tuesday, 1 February, 2005, 10:51 GMT

Palestinians must have a state that meets their aspirations or there will be no Middle East peace,
the new US Secretary of State has said.

Condoleezza Rice told a meeting of her staff that Israel must yield territory
and create "conditions in which a new Palestinian state could emerge".

Miss Rice is due in Jerusalem and the West Bank later this week.

snip..

Miss Rice said a Palestinian state - recognised by Israel - was "within our grasp",
but it must be viable and contiguous with enough land to function properly.

More at;
http://news.bbc.co.uk/2/hi/middle_east/4225375.stm

[physioex]

1. Same crap recycled over and over....

This is all wishful thinking. Tell Shrub not to cozy up to Sharon and AIPAC then we might make progess.

[centristo]

2. will they walk the walk?

http://news.yahoo.com/news?tmpl=story&cid=564&u=/nm/20050202/ts_nm/bush_mideast_dc_6&printer=1

"President Bush (news - web sites) plans in his State of the Union address on Wednesday to pledge greater assistance for the Palestinians, including a financial aid package that could total nearly $350 million to bolster development and security, sources familiar with the plan said.

The announcement would highlight Bush's support for Palestinian Prime Minister Mahmoud Abbas, elected last month to replace Yasser Arafat (news - web sites), whom Bush shunned as an obstacle to peace until his death.

Sources said U.S. aid would help the Palestinians prepare for Israel's withdrawal from Gaza later this year, and is expected to be tied to Palestinian efforts in stopping violence and carrying out reforms."


The stage is set for a real chance for peace. If Bush walks the walks he may actually stumble on doing something truly historic for the benefit of world peace. I hope he doesn't blow it. Or Sharon doesn't blow it. Or Abbas or Hamas doesn't blow it.