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U.S. President George W. Bush speaking during an interview with Reuters in the Oval Office on Thursday. (Reuters)
Last update - 08:23 04/01/2008
Bush: Settlement expansion 'impediment' to peace
By Reuters
Tags: U.S., Israel, George Bush 

U.S. President George W. Bush on Thursday called Israeli settlement expansion an "impediment" to the success of revived peace efforts and urged the Jerusalem to follow through on its pledge to dismantle unauthorized settler outposts.

Speaking less than a week before his first presidential visit to Israel and the West Bank, Bush voiced optimism at the prospects for securing an Israeli-Palestinian peace deal by the end of 2008, a goal set at last November's Annapolis conference that has been viewed with some skepticism.

Bush said he would use his trip to keep up pressure on both sides, including making clear to Israelis his concern about continued Jewish settlement activity.
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"I will talk about Israeli settlement expansion, about how that is, that can be, you know, an impediment to success," in an interview at the White House with Reuters. "The unauthorized outposts for example need to be dismantled, like the Israelis said they would do."

Asked about Bush's comments, Prime Minister Ehud Olmert's spokesman Mark Regev said, "Israel is committed to meeting all our obligations under the road map and if the Palestinian side moves similarly on its commitments, I believe there is a real chance for substantive progress in the coming months."

Bush's trip follows a U.S.-hosted conference last month in Annapolis, Maryland, where Olmert and Palestinian President Mahmoud Abbas pledged to try to forge a peace deal by the end of 2008.

"I feel good about it," Bush said when asked about the prospects for a deal by the end of this year.

He said such a timeframe "may not be a comfortable calendar for the two parties that actually have to negotiate the deal." But he added, "Both leaders ... understand this is a great opportunity to define a state and the fact that I'll be leaving office 12 months from now serves as a backstop."

Asked whether he would hold three-way talks with Abbas and Olmert during his visit, Bush said, "I don't know. It's not on the calendar now. But there will definitely be substantial talks with the Israelis and the Palestinians."

Bush also acknowledged that part of the reason for his January 8-16 Middle East trip is "absolutely" about efforts to contain Iran's influence in the region.

Bush said that on his trip, which starts in Israel and will include stops in Saudi Arabia, Egypt, Kuwait, Bahrain and the United Arab Emirates, he expects questions about a U.S. National Intelligence Estimate last month that said Iran had stopped its nuclear weapons program in 2003.

"I will clarify to them that the NIE means that Iran is still a danger," he said.


Related articles:
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  • Olmert, Bush and Abbas to hold three-way summit in Jerusalem
  • Officials: Israel to allow construction in existing W. Bank settlements
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      1.   You tell em bush! 20:24  |  American 03/01/08
      2.   There Are No "Settlements" In Gaza 20:27  |  Yishai Kohen 03/01/08
      3.   oh oh!! look out olmert baby bush needs a win 20:37  |  muslim 03/01/08
      4.   2 "simple" questions for the audience here..... 20:40  |  Swiss (Dino) 03/01/08
      5.   he must have Jim Baker working for him again!! 20:43  |  muslim 03/01/08
      6.   A halt to all settlement expansions or bust 20:54  |  Josef Frank 03/01/08
      7.   mistake 20:55  |  dd 03/01/08
      8.   What the fu......? 21:15  |  Clarence Gotlieb 03/01/08
      9.   Bush: Settlement expansion imdediment to peace 21:29  |  Natallie Durson 03/01/08
      10.   I Was Wrong ! 21:33  |  Mike 03/01/08
      11.   BUSH - Will sell us down the River! 21:38  |  Marshall W 03/01/08
      12.   We know which side HE`S on 21:38  |  Steve 03/01/08
      13.   bush is an impediment to intelligent leadership 21:51  |  effie 03/01/08
      14.   Screw you Bush! 21:54  |  Avraham 03/01/08
      15.   What the fu... 22:00  |  Elihu Stone 03/01/08
      16.   4. Elihu Stone could you stop the k`vetch for a change? 22:08  |  muslim 03/01/08
      17.   Avraham - Palestine is the home of many people! 22:09  |  Historian 03/01/08
      18.   #3 Avraham of the Negev 22:10  |  Chris Linthwaite 03/01/08
      19.   bush and avraham`s response 22:20  |  patrick hammel 03/01/08
      20.   Hey Bush, your stupid policys are what are impeding peace ! 22:23  |  Jew 03/01/08
      21.   All settlements are illegal and they must go or be turned over to 22:26  |  lakshmi 03/01/08
      22.   Bush on Settlements: actually very mild 22:34  |  roc 03/01/08
      23.   Bush 22:39  |  P. J. Casey 03/01/08
      24.   This is a significant change in American policy 22:46  |  Natallie Durson 03/01/08
      25.   The blind Historian 22:50  |  Rustam 03/01/08
      26.   That`s why they are shelling Ashkelon??? 22:51  |  Jonathan Neuman 03/01/08
      27.   to Avraham #3 22:52  |  Colin Wright 03/01/08
      28.   just the beginning: Jim Baker back in town 22:53  |  muslim 03/01/08
      29.   12. no actually daddy bush with his envoy Jim Baker did 22:57  |  muslim 03/01/08
      30.   Ms Durson you must be 7 22:59  |  Rustam 03/01/08
      31.   9. we the american people will not support israhel stealing 22:59  |  US citizen 03/01/08
      32.   re Chris Linthwaite #7 23:00  |  Colin Wright 03/01/08
      33.   #12 23:02  |  Jane 03/01/08
      34.   same old 23:03  |  rm 03/01/08
      35.   Bush`s legacy 23:09  |  Don 03/01/08
      36.   Settlements 23:11  |  True Muslim 03/01/08
      37.   Natelie Durston 23:13  |  ottomatik 03/01/08
      38.   14. Johnathon? you are not an american are you? 23:13  |  US citizen 03/01/08
      39.   Rustam - No ethnic cleansing...Iran has jews! 23:19  |  Historian 03/01/08
      40.   36. True Muslim? hahahahaha :) 23:26  |  muslim 03/01/08
      41.   Ok Bush set an example 23:28  |  Common sense 03/01/08
      42.   Our incompoetent BUSH trying to bring the same kind of peace 23:29  |  Pssd off American 03/01/08
      43.   The Historian who knows not the history 23:33  |  Rustam 03/01/08
      44.   # 23 Natallie, Almost agree with you,..but..! 23:35  |  Stephen 03/01/08
      45.   To Historian regarding 39 23:39  |  Rustam 03/01/08
      46.   # 39 Go and read "Spidermen Comic Books" 23:42  |  Stephen. 03/01/08
      47.   #31 23:55  |  Jane 03/01/08
      48.   #31 23:56  |  Common sense 03/01/08
      49.   Tolerance on both sides of the green line? 00:17  |  Ricardo 04/01/08
      50.   What did he think would happen? 00:41  |  Mark Lincoln 04/01/08
      51.   lackshmi 00:41  |  Just me 04/01/08
      52.   #6. Josef Frank,this my friend is the way 4Peace 00:46  |  Arik 04/01/08
      53.   Bush 00:56  |  no name 04/01/08
      54.   Lame duck President 00:59  |  Nathan Mizrahi 04/01/08
      55.   Would,The US President be allowed..... 01:00  |  Jean Paul de Rheims 04/01/08
      56.   reality is an impediment to peace 01:12  |  Avi 04/01/08
      57.   Don`t Mess with Texas 01:44  |  chick 04/01/08
      58.   to RM 01:52  |  Otto Rand 04/01/08
      59.   settlements obstacle 02:20  |  geroge 04/01/08
      60.   Bush means "Settlements are an impediment to surrender." 02:24  |  David 04/01/08
      61.   #17 "Historian" 02:31  |  David 04/01/08
      62.   he`s an anti-semite 02:36  |  fadi 04/01/08
      63.   Nablus rockets - no impediment for peace 02:43  |  MR 04/01/08
      64.   To Historian? 03:03  |  Rustam 04/01/08
      65.   Only because he is on the wrong path to peace. 03:46  |  Virginia 04/01/08
      66.   # 31, you are so not speaking for the "American People" 03:49  |  get over yourself 04/01/08
      67.   A public challenge to these leaders... 03:59  |  Virginia 04/01/08
      68.   # 36 True Muslim, Thanks for speaking out, God bless you! 04:01  |  Virginia 04/01/08
      69.   Who among us would be willing to do it God`s Way if we could know 04:09  |  for certain it is 04/01/08
      70.   Ganging up on Gaza? This sure would be a good time for Gilad`s 04:34  |  Release!!! 04/01/08
      71.   Good night my friends, sleep well, God is with us.And best of all 05:13  |  He Loves us