WASHINGTON, 17 July 2007 — President George W. Bush yesterday announced an international conference later this year to include Israel, the Palestinian authority and some of their Arab neighbors to help restart Middle East peace talks and review progress in building democratic institutions.
He said that Secretary of State Condoleezza Rice would preside over the session. Bush said the conference would include representatives from Israel, the Palestinians “and their neighbors in the region” and said participants would include just those governments that support creation of a Palestinian state.
Bush also pledged increased US aid to the Palestinian government of President Mahmoud Abbas and called for the convening of a meeting of “donor” nations, including Saudi Arabia, Egypt and Jordan, to consider more international aid.
Bush voiced strong support for Abbas and his Fatah government. He said Abbas and his new prime minister, Salam Fayyad, “are striving to build the institutions of a modern democracy.”
Bush contrasted his government with Hamas, which he said “has demonstrated beyond all doubt that it is devoted to extremism and murder.”
Only the Palestinians can decide which of these two paths to follow, Bush said.
Bush said he would “continue to deliver a firm message to Hamas: You must stop Gaza from being a safe haven for attacks against Israel. You must accept the legitimate Palestinian government, permit humanitarian aid in Gaza and dismantle militias. And you must reject violence and recognize Israel’s right to exist and commit to all previous agreements between the parties.”
He noted that the United States has pledged more than $190 million in direct assistance to the Palestinians, most of it already approved and that the Overseas Private Investment Corporation was making another $228 million available in loan guarantees.
Bush also announced that his administration will “make a direct contribution of $80 million to help Palestinians reform their security services.”
Israeli Prime Minister Ehud Olmert and Palestinian President Mahmoud Abbas welcomed Bush’s call while Hamas accused Bush of planning a “crusade” against the Palestinian people.
Bush’s announcement came hours after Abbas and Olmert met in Jerusalem and an agreement was reached between the two about the release of 250 Palestinian prisoners on Friday. A special ministerial committee headed by Olmert is expected to approve the list of prisoners today.
