Military

DATE=8/19/03

TYPE=CORRESPONDENT REPORT

TITLE=BUSH / MIDEAST (L O)

NUMBER=2-306639

BYLINE=PAULA WOLFSON

DATELINE=WHITE HOUSE

CONTENT=

VOICED AT:

INTRO: President Bush is once again urging the Palestinian Authority to dismantle terrorist organizations. As V-O-A's Paula Wolfson reports, Mr. Bush says that is the key to moving the Mideast peace process forward.

TEXT: The president says a cease-fire is helpful. But he says it will not bring an end to the Israeli-Palestinian dispute.

/// BUSH ACT ///

I am happy there is calm and I think that is important. The most important thing is for the parties that care for peace to dismantle terrorist organizations that want to kill.

/// END ACT ///

Several extremist groups, including Hamas, declared a unilateral cease-fire on June 29th. It expires in a few weeks. During a brief session with reporters near his Texas ranch, Mr. Bush was asked if the cease-fire should be extended.

/// 2nd BUSH ACT ///

Calm is good. The fact that people aren't dying is good. But the ultimate solution -- and this can happen quickly, in my judgment -- is to find those who believe killing is the best approach to dealing with the very difficult problems in the Middle East.

/// END ACT ///

The president went on to say the Palestinian Authority can count on help from the United States as it goes about this important task.

/// 3rd BUSH ACT ///

I think that the Palestinian Authority needs to continue to work with the United States and others interested in dismantling terrorist organizations, and ask for the help necessary so they can do what they need to do -- which is dismantle and destroy organization which are interested in killing innocent lives in order to prevent a peace process from going forward.

/// END ACT ///

He spoke amid ongoing controversy over the transfer of control of two West Bank towns from Israel to the Palestinian Authority. Israel says it will not agree to the transfer until the Palestinian leadership makes a commitment to dismantle militant groups and monitor the movements of wanted militants. The handover of the towns -- Qalqilya and Jericho - - was originally expected to take place on Monday. (SIGNED)

NEB/PW/KL