Yes, there's been a lot of Bush bashing on this site lately. Expect more. I'm profoundly disappointed, though not terribly surprised, in Mr. Bush's apparent inability to stick to his own vision and ignore the abominable advice that's being whispered in his ear. Yes, I'm still giving him the benefit of the doubt. I'm still trying to assume that the "vision" isn't just a smoke screen. It's getting harder every day.
On March 8th of this year, our President said:
The advance of hope in the Middle East also requires new thinking in the capitals of great democracies -- including Washington, D.C. By now it should be clear that decades of excusing and accommodating tyranny, in the pursuit of stability, have only led to injustice and instability and tragedy. It should be clear that the advance of democracy leads to peace, because governments that respect the rights of their people also respect the rights of their neighbors. It should be clear that the best antidote to radicalism and terror is the tolerance and hope kindled in free societies. And our duty is now clear: For the sake of our long-term security, all free nations must stand with the forces of democracy and justice that have begun to transform the Middle East.
That was a pretty good summary of what's commonly called "the Bush doctine" -- the notion that the spread of democracy and the support of democracies are the keys to global peace and prosperity, and the notion that despots and tyrants can no longer expect a warm welcome in Washington. But we've seen all too clearly in the past few months that the walk doesn't match the talk.
Few relationships better fit the description of "decades of excusing and accommodating tyranny, in the pursuit of stability" than that of the U.S. approach to Saudi Arabia, yet just a few weeks ago the President strolled hand in hand with Crown Prince Abdullah, continuing down that very same path. After years of firm and steady refusal to deal with terror monger Yassir Arafat, Bush last week promised lavish direct U.S. support to his successor, Abu Mazen, who has neither made the slightest effort nor promised to make the slightest effort to curb the violence or reform the palestinian thugocracy. And he (Bush) made this promise, it seems, in defiance of legislation passed by both houses of Congress.
At the same time, Bush has once again, incomprehensibly, shifted the burden of the "peace process" back onto Israel. Israel, the only democracy in the Middle East, the only nation in that part of the world that respects the rights of its people (and by extension, as the President acknowledged, the rights of its neighbors) is once again being singled out for the stern warning, the wagging finger, the disapproving shake of the head.
Israel must continue to take steps toward a peaceful future and work with the Palestinian leadership to improve the daily lives of Palestinians, especially their humanitarian situation.
Israel should not undertake any activity that contravenes road map obligations or prejudice final status negotiations with regard to Gaza, the West Bank and Jerusalem.
Therefore, Israel must remove unauthorized outposts and stop settlement expansion.
The barrier being erected by Israel as a part of its security effort must be a security rather than political barrier. And its route should take into account, consistent with security needs, its impact on Palestinians not engaged in terrorist activities.
As we make progress toward security and in accordance with the road map, Israeli forces should withdraw to their positions on September the 28th, 2000.
And what did President Bush, with Mr. Abbas a captive audience on global TV, demand of the palestinians? What is it that Mr. Abbas must, should or ought to do or stop doing? Not a thing. Read it again. Not. One. Thing. And lest you think this is simply the courtesy of a polite host, compare and contrast Mr. Bush's remarks in his press conference with Ariel Sharon in April.
I told the Prime Minister of my concern that Israel not undertake any activity that contravenes road map obligations or prejudice final status negotiations. Therefore, Israel should remove unauthorized outposts and meet its road map obligations regarding settlements in the West Bank.
As Meryl says, it's IDST (Israel Double Standard Time).
And I'll have a bit more to say on this subject later today.
