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4-21-02
Bush tells Israelis, Palestinians, other Arabs to make hard choices for
peace; cool response to Clinton role
Sat Apr 20, 5:55 PM
ET
By SCOTT LINDLAW, Associated Press Writer
WASHINGTON -
President George W. Bush said Saturday that peace in the Middle East requires
"hard choices and real leadership" by Israelis, Palestinians and their
Arab neighbors. The White House was cool to former President Bill Clinton's
offer to play a role in peacemaking.
Republican
Sen. Arlen Specter urged Bush to take up Clinton's overture. "I think his
advice would be invaluable," said Specter, who met with Palestinian leader
Yasser Arafat three weeks ago.
But Bush plans to
stay the course he has charted, and is discouraging attempts by lawmakers to
step into the conflict with legislation.
"The president
has outlined a clear blueprint for the pathway to peace in the Middle
East," and the administration has made progress, White House spokeswoman
Claire Buchan said. "We and the international community are focused on
bringing the parties together."
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