CRAWFORD, Texas - Speaking to reporters last week, President George W. Bush commented that the things he says in private are the same as those he says in public - and this is exactly what he did yesterday. He didn't hold back in his criticism of construction in the settlements, making the U.S. administration's opinion on the matter perfectly clear to his Israeli guest.
One of the White House reporters who has been following Bush since he took office noted that the president's insistence on this matter stemmed from his personality. Bush is a meticulous individual and believes in meeting one's commitments down to the final detail. As a result, and despite the fact that he wanted to honor his guest and bolster him, he wasn't able to let slide Sharon's bending of the rules with regard to the settlements.
Bush made an effort to dress the meeting in a positive light. He spoke of his friendship with Sharon, commended his leadership and strongly reiterated his most significant commitments to Israel - recognition of the large settlement blocs in the territories. But when reporters began asking tough questions about the building in the settlements, the performance of Abu Mazen and the continuation of the process after the pullout, the president was unable to conceal the differences of opinion.
Experts in Washington who are monitoring the Middle East peace process have warned in recent weeks that without practical U.S. intervention, the momentum of the disengagement plan could be lost, and the region could once again be plunged into frustration and violence.
In his statements yesterday at his ranch in Crawford, Bush took a big stride toward upping his involvement. He still believes that America cannot afford to get in over its head when it comes to the finer details of the conflict, and is still not enamored with the idea of U.S. mediators in the region. But he is certainly giving his all on a number of fundamental issues of the conflict.
After presenting Sharon with gifts last April in the form of recognition of the settlement blocs and rejection of the right of return to Israel, Bush is now trying to balance the picture. He is sending Israel, the Palestinians and primarily the Egyptians the message, which he mentioned a few times, that his approach to the conflict is not one-sided, as some are trying to claim.
Bush is trying to recruit the world onto his side, and toward this end he is even willing to add a few harsh notes to what was supposed to be a visit to strengthen his Israeli friend.
Bush is no less a friend of Israel after the meeting with Sharon than he was before the joint news conference. He still supports Sharon and the pullout plan, but he made it clear yesterday that this friendship has a limit, and that he won't stand idly by when he hears talk of territorial contiguity between Jerusalem and Ma'aleh Adumim, or that the large settlement blocs will be part of the State of Israel, "for all that this signifies."
