02 July 2003
Bush Renews Call for Liberia's Taylor to Leave
(White House Report, July 2: Liberia, Middle East, Iraq) (850)
During questioning from reporters July 2, President Bush reiterated
his June 26 statement that President Charles Taylor of Liberia must
leave in order for peace to take hold in that war-torn country.
"We're exploring all options as to how to keep the situation peaceful
and stable," Bush said. "One thing has to happen. Mr. Taylor needs to
leave the country."
White House Press Secretary Ari Fleischer said July 2 that a
cease-fire has been in effect in Liberia since June 17, and the United
States' priority now is to make sure the cease-fire holds.
"The goal the United States believes in, which is enforcement of the
cease-fire in Liberia, is a priority, and the most effective way to
enforce the cease-fire is what's under review right now," Fleischer
said.
"The president is working with his secretary of state, his secretary
of defense and his national security advisor, as well as with the
United Nations, to determine what is the right call for the American
people," Fleischer said.
Fleischer said the focus in Liberia will be on working with the
international community to foster peace and stop a humanitarian crisis
before it happens.
"The interest here is working with the international community in a
area of the world where we do legitimately fear a humanitarian
problem, a humanitarian crisis, as a result of the suffering that is
going on in Liberia," Fleischer said.
Liberia was founded by freed American slaves in the 19th century, but
Fleischer said the president looks at Liberia in the context of today.
"I think the president looks at this in the context of 2003 and what
is best to promote the humanitarian goals that we think are important
to promote international peace and to provide for stability,"
Fleischer said. "Of course, we do have historical relationships around
the world that always fit into decisions that get made, but this is
very much an important 2003 decision that's, of course, based on our
history."
WHITE HOUSE SEES "NEW MOMENT OF HOPE" IN MIDDLE EAST
President Bush said the Palestinian people should embrace Prime
Minister Mahmoud Abbas and know that, by accepting a peaceful
government, there are more prosperous times to come.
In remarks July 2 to reporters, Bush said, "institutions that will
enable a Palestinian state to emerge need to be continued to be
fostered and put in place. There needs to be a constitution. There
needs to be a capable security force. There needs to be economic
hope."
"I talked to (Egyptian) President (Hosni) Mubarak and King Abdallah of
Jordan today," Bush said. "I praised them for their efforts. I urge
them to continue to stay involved in the process. ... We must condemn
terror at all instances, we must cut off money to terrorist
organizations, in order to keep this progress moving."
Fleischer said the Bush administration is happy that Israeli Prime
Minister Ariel Sharon and Prime Minister Abbas held a joint appearance
July 1 in Jerusalem to say progress is being made on the road map to
peace in the Middle East.
"The Israelis are working directly with the Palestinian Authority for
the right reasons," Fleischer said. "And under Prime Minister Abbas'
leadership, there is a new moment of hope. And the United States is
going to work very hard -- the president in his conversations with
Arab leaders around the region, he called today to President Mubarak
and King Abdallah, as you know -- to make this even more of a moment
of hope."
BUSH CONFIDENT U.S. WILL PREVAIL IN IRAQ
Asked about the continued attacks on U.S. personnel in Iraq, Bush told
reporters July 2, "We've got the force necessary to deal with the
security situation."
Fleischer told reporters that Bush was expressing "his confidence in
the men and women of the military to handle the military mission that
they still remain in the middle of. Major combat operations have
ended, but obviously, combat has not for those who are there. And the
president has faith and confidence in the men and women of our
military who are doing difficult duty."
Bush also said that the United States will not withdraw its forces
from Iraq before the mission is complete.
"There are some who feel like that if they attack us that we may
decide to leave prematurely," Bush said. "They don't understand what
they're talking about if that's the case."
"And we're not leaving until we accomplish the task," Bush said. "And
the task is going to be a free country run by the Iraqi people. And
that, in turn, will help peace in the Middle East."
Fleischer said the president does not have a timetable on when U.S.
troops will withdraw from Iraq.
"The president is not putting a specific timetable on it because it is
such an important mission, he will see it through and then bring our
troops home," Fleischer said.
(Distributed by the Bureau of International Information Programs, U.S.
Department of State. Web site: http://usinfo.state.gov)
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