 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. âBush said he wanted to see a Palestinian state, but without a timetable,â Hamas spokesman Sami Abu Zuhri said. âHe went back on his last promise,â Abu Zuhri said, referring to comments made by the US leader when he was re-elected last November.
| Could be because Hamas has never shown the least bit of interest in adhering to any kind of plan except their own. |
Standing next to Abbas on the lawns of the White House, Bush said: âI canât tell you when itâs going to happen. Itâs happening. If it happens before I get out of office, Iâll be there to witness the ceremony. And if doesnât, we will work hard to lay that foundation so that the process becomes irreversible.â His comments were at odds with remarks made in November 2004, when he said: âI would like to see it done in four years. I think it is possible.â
| At the time maybe it did look possible. That was about the time the roadmap was introduced, a best effort of the Quartet that tried to look out for the interests of all parties. Hamas used it for toilet paper. |
However, Palestinian officials in Ramallah played down Bushâs reluctance to adhere to a timetable. âIt is the first time that President Bush has said he would use his influence for the formation of a Palestinian state,â chief negotiator Saeb Erekat said.
| All y'gotta do is play by the rules and it's not impossible. On the other hand, Paleos playing by rules seems to be impossible. See where we are? |
The Hamas spokesman also denounced Bushâs call for Abbas to crack down on âarmed gangs,â and urged the Palestinian Authority to resist international interference in Palestinian affairs. âBush focused on putting pressure on the Palestinian Authority to confront the factions. This is dangerous,â Abu Zuhri warned.
| Sounds like a threat to me. |
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