US President George Bush met the Israeli leader Ariel Sharon in Washington today and restated US support for what he termed as ‘Israel's right to defend itself against terrorist attack’ saying a Mideast peace conference was still some time off.
The American president’s comments came as Israeli troops invaded the Palestinian city of Ramallah, surrounding the Palestinian leader Yasser Arafat’s headquarters with tanks and troops.
Today’s Israeli incursion, the second in four days, prevented the meeting of Arafat’s new cabinet which was due to meet this evening in Ramallah. Over twenty Palestinians, including policemen, were arrested and one was shot dead in the Amari refugee camp.
Sitting at Bush's side in Washington, Sharon reiterated his view that there must be a cessation of violence before negotiations can be fruitful. He said of Arafat: "At present time, we don't see yet a partner."
Bush was almost as dismissive, suggesting the United States is eager to find other Palestinian leaders more willing to change.
"I am disappointed that he has not led in such a way that the Palestinian people have hope and confidence," the president said.
This latest meeting between Bush and Sharon their sixth meeting while Bush has yet to meet Yasser Arafat.
Bush's meeting with Sharon came after the president's weekend talks with Egyptian President Hosni Mubarak, after which the US leader rebuffed his guest's push for a specific timetable for declaring a Palestinian state.
"We're not ready to lay down a specific calendar except for the fact we need to get started quickly, soon, so that we can seize the moment," Bush said at a joint news conference with Mubarak at the Camp David retreat.
Agencies