WASHINGTON/JEDDAH, 5 November 2004 — As a fresh initiative to kick-start the stalled Middle East peace talks, the Bush administration is expected to send a senior emissary to the region within the next few weeks.
Speaking in his first press conference after his re-election, President George W Bush said he was committed to the creation of a Palestinian state.
He said that when he proposed his two-states solution in June 2002 he meant what he said.
Bush said he would support the creation of a Palestinian state if he could be assured that it would be free and democratic. There was no point in creating “ another despotic regime” in the region. Unless the Palestinians take steps toward democracy, the creation of a Palestinian state would remain “a moot point.”
Bush said he would dedicate his second administration to spreading “freedom and democracy” throughout the world. He lambasted those who claim that some nations are “not ready for democracy” or “incapable of living in freedom.” He repeated his theme that terrorism thrives in undemocratic societies and that spreading freedom and democracy is necessary for ensuring the United States’ own national security.
Bush’s message is likely to be at the center of the message that his emissary will bring to the region. Sources in Washington and several Arab capitals told Arab News yesterday that John Danforth, currently the US ambassador to the United Nations, will be the emissary.
Danforth is expected to fly to the region in the third week of November ahead of an international conference on the future of Iraq. Secretary of State Colin Powell will lead the US team at the conference, hosted by Egypt at Sharm El-Sheikh.
The need for a new initiative in the Middle East was one of several foreign policy topics discussed at the first full Cabinet meeting headed by President George W Bush yesterday. The full Cabinet had not met since last August, putting large segments of American foreign policy on hold while the president fought for re-election. Calls for the US to re-engage in peacemaking in the region have come from several Arab and European leaders as they congratulated Bush on winning a second term at the White House.
At a summit in Berlin, Egyptian President Hosni Mubarak and German Chancellor Gerhard Schroeder appealed to the United States to revive the road map for peace. Schroeder said peace efforts would go more smoothly with cooperation from Europe, Russia “and above all, the United States of America, so that this process can be implemented better.” A more dramatic appeal came from British Prime Minister Tony Blair who said he had told Bush that “the need to revitalize the Middle East peace process” was “the single most pressing political challenge in our world today.” Blair called on Europe and the United States to “build anew their alliance” in the wake of Bush’s victory. A joint Euro-American strategy for peace in the Middle East would be the best framework for new global diplomatic efforts.
In his press conference, Bush said he agreed with Blair’s assessment of the Palestinian issue. But he did not elaborate.
Danforth is one of several senior officials tipped to become secretary of state in President Bush’s new administration, once the current holder of the post Colin Powell decides to retire. Danforth is expected to visit several Arab capitals to renew contact at the start of a new term for Bush, and to seek support for an international force to protect the Iraqi elections next January.
