Bush: "absolutely committed" to deal for Palestinian state
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SHARM EL-SHEIK, Egypt: President Bush, trying to reassure Palestinians wary of his dedication to their side in the Mideast peace dispute, said Saturday that he is "absolutely committed" to getting an Israeli-Palestinian accord by the end of the year.
"It breaks my heart to see the vast potential of the Palestinian people, really, wasted," Bush said at the side of Palestinian President Mahmoud Abbas.
Promising the definition of an independent homeland, Bush said "It'll be an opportunity to end the suffering that takes place in the Palestinian territories," offering fresh assurances after the two leaders met in the president's villa at this beach resort town on the Red Sea.
On soaring gas prices, a topic of great concern back in the United States, Bush said a modest oil production increase by the Saudis recently "doesn't solve our problem" because the United States must act itself.
"We've got to do more at home," the president said after talks with Afghanistan President Hamid Karzai. He mentioned moves that have long been part of his agenda, such as developing alternate fuels, improving conservation and expanding domestic exploration. All have been stymied in Congress and wouldn't have a short-term impact.
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Bush and Abbas met for nearly an hour before speaking briefly to reporters. They then strolled back inside — holding hands as they walked slowly down a bouganveilla-lined path — for a private dinner.
The talks were a followup to Bush's celebratory two-day stay earlier this week in Israel for its 60th anniversary. His emotional comments about Palestinian suffering were his effort to counter the impression in the Arab world that he tilts too far toward Israel and its concerns.
In a much-anticipated speech Thursday to the Knesset, Israel's parliament, Bush showered Israel with praise and only gently urged leaders to "make the hard choices necessary." By contrast, he did not visit the Palestinian territories nor mention the Palestinians' plight. He spoke of them only in one sentence saying that Israel's 120th anniversary — in 2068 — would see it neighboring an independent Palestinian state.
Bush's arrival in Egypt was met with stinging criticism by the country's state-owned newspapers, which are run by government-appointed managers. "Bush aims to do nothing but appeasing Israel," wrote Mursi Atallah, the publisher of Al-Ahram, the flagship daily of the state-owned press.
But Abbas glowingly praised Bush's dedication to the talks, launched between the two sides in November for the first time in seven years.
"We know very well that you personally, as well as your administration, are committed to reach peace before the end of 2008," Abbas said.
The other topic that dominated their talks, Bush said, was the recent turmoil in Lebanon, perceived — and feared — by the United States and many in the Sunni Arab world as a demonstration of Shiite-controlled Iran's quest for more influence in the region.
Bush said he and Abbas agreed on their concern about "radical elements undermining" the U.S.-backed government of Lebanese Prime Minister Fuad Saniora.
"This is a defining moment," he said. "It is a moment that requires us to stand strongly with the Saniora government and to support the Saniora government."
The militant group Hezbollah overran Beirut neighborhoods last week in protest of measures aimed at the group by Saniora's government, a display of power that shocked and concerned the West. The violence only ended when Lebanon's Cabinet reversed the measures and Saniora's government reached a deal with the Shiite militant group, which the U.S. considers a terrorist organization. The two sides met behind closed doors in Qatar on Saturday.
Bush had planned to meet with Saniora in Egypt on Sunday, but the session was canceled.
Bush asked Saudi King Abdullah during talks for an injection of oil supply to help ease the pain of rising prices. "High energy prices are going to cause countries like mine to accelerate our move to alternative energy," he said he told the king.
But Saudi oil minister Ali al-Naimi said Friday it had decided a week before Bush's visit to raise production by 300,000 barrels a day to 9.45 million barrels a day and didn't see any need to do more. Energy analysts called the boost a token — it represents just 3 percent of the total Saudi output — and it was seen as a rebuff, if a gentle one, of Bush.
Still, the president steered clear of criticism of the Saudis. He noted they are increasing refining capacity as well as pumping more oil.
"It's not enough. It's something but it doesn't solve our problem," Bush said. "One of the interesting things about American politics is, those who are screaming the loudest for increased production from Saudi Arabia are the very same people who are the fighting the fiercest against domestic exploration, against the development of nuclear power and against expanding refining capacity."
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