SEPTEMBER 11TH TERROR
ATTACKS ON NEW YORK AND WASHINGTON HAVE NOT CHANGED THE AMERICAN POLICY TOWARDS
THE MIDDLE EAST PEACE
WASHINGTON, OCT 6, SPA -- THE WHITE HOUSE TODAY REITERATED THAT
SEPTEMBER 11TH TERROR ATTACKS ON NEW YORK AND WASHINGTON HAVE NOT CHANGED THE
AMERICAN POLICY TOWARDS THE MIDDLE EAST PEACE.
SPOKESMAN ARI FLEISCHER REAFFIRMED WHITE HOUSE REJECTION OF REMARKS MADE
YESTERDAY BY ISRAELI PRIME MINISTER ARIEL SHARON IN THIS CONTEXT.
'PEACE IN THE MIDDLE EAST IS INTRINSICALLY GOOD REGARDLESS OF ANYTHING ELSE THAT
IS HAPPENING IN THE WORLD,' SAID FLEISCHER. 'THAT'S WHY THE PRESIDENT (GEORGE W.
BUSH) FEELS SO STRONGLY THAT IN THE WAKE OF (THE SEPTEMBER 11) ATTACKS, IT'S
IMPORTANT FOR PEOPLE IN THE REGION TO SEIZE THIS OPPORTUNITY AND RECOMMIT
THEMSELVES TO THE PEACE PROCESS.'
ASKED IF THE TERRORIST ATTACKS ON THE U.S. HAVE CHANGED THE BUSH
ADMINISTRATION'S APPROACH TO THE PALESTINIAN-ISRAELI CONFLICT, FLEISCHER
REPLIED, 'NO. THE AMERICAN POLICY TOWARD PEACE IN THE MIDDLE EAST IS JUST AS
STRONGLY COMMITTED TO THE PEACE PROCESS AND IS IDENTICAL TO THE POLICIES
ESTABLISHED PRIOR TO SEPTEMBER 11TH AS IT IS TODAY. THOSE EVENTS HAVE NOT
CHANGED AMERICAN POLICY.'