peace initiative unveiled by US President George W. Bush was more "favorable toward Israel" in its interpretation of national borders than the Saudi peace proposal and other plans.
"The Saudi plan calls for a return to the 1967 borders while Bush bases border talks on UN resolution that allows flexibility in arriving at secure and recognizable boundaries. Bush set stiff conditions for a Palestinian state including elections by the end of the year for a legislature with normal authority and a constitution, said the Embassy’s news service in a reaction.
Earlier the ICEJ had warned that many of its supporters may not like, from a biblical point of view, the Bush Administration calls for the creation of two states. However Palestinian leader Yasser Arafat condemned the peace initiative, which calls for a new leadership as a condition for the creation of a Palestinian state.
OWN LEADERS
"It is up to Palestinians alone to choose their leaders," he said in his headquarters in Ramallah, which has been surrounded by Israeli tanks. At the same time however Arafat said he "agreed that Palestinian elections are necessary".
But the Palestinian leader said he does not consider President Bush’s remarks were a call for his removal. However analysts have pointed out it was clear that Bush wanted Arafat to leave.
In Israel, Cabinet Minister Danny Naveh described the Bush speech as a victory for Israel’s contention that Arafat must be replaced and the Palestinian Authority reformed before peace prospects can improve.
ISRAELI WITHDRAWAL
However Bush has also made clear that Israel should withdraw from Palestinian territories to the pre-1967 borders.
At least a dozen Palestinians, including children, are believed to have been killed since this weekend when Israeli forces began pounding Palestinian villages and towns as part of what officials call a military operation to combat terror.
