GAZA CITY, 22 October 2005 — Hamas yesterday blasted US President George W. Bush for failing to mention a timetable for an independent Palestinian state when he met with Palestinian President Mahmoud Abbas in Washington on Thursday. The movement also accused Bush of trying to divide Palestinians by asking Abbas to disarm the Palestinian resistance.
“Bush said he wanted to see a Palestinian state, but without a timetable,” Hamas spokesman Sami Abu Zuhri said. “He went back on his last promise,” Abu Zuhri said, referring to comments made by the US leader when he was re-elected last November.
Standing next to Abbas on the lawns of the White House, Bush said: “I can’t tell you when it’s going to happen. It’s happening. If it happens before I get out of office, I’ll be there to witness the ceremony. And if doesn’t, we will work hard to lay that foundation so that the process becomes irreversible.”
His comments were at odds with remarks made in November 2004, when he said: “I would like to see it done in four years. I think it is possible.”
However, Palestinian officials in Ramallah played down Bush’s reluctance to adhere to a timetable. “It is the first time that President Bush has said he would use his influence for the formation of a Palestinian state,” chief negotiator Saeb Erekat said.
The Hamas spokesman also denounced Bush’s call for Abbas to crack down on “armed gangs,” and urged the Palestinian Authority to resist international interference in Palestinian affairs.
“Bush focused on putting pressure on the Palestinian Authority to confront the factions. This is dangerous,” Abu Zuhri warned.
— Additional input from agencies
