09942

06/13/2002
EDITORIAL NUMBER=0-09942

MIDDLE EAST POLICY

Terror must be stopped. No nation can negotiate with terrorists. Not in the Philippines, which is fighting Abu Sayyaf. Not in Afghanistan, where the remnants of the Taleban and al-Qaida terrorists are being hunted down. Not in the Middle East, where young Palestinians are induced to blow themselves up, killing innocent Israelis in the process. "For," as President George W. Bush said, "there is no way to make peace with those whose only goal is death."

This can be a time for hope. But as Mr. Bush said, "It calls for leadership, not terror." Since September 11^th, everyone has faced a choice. As President Bush said, "You’re either with the civilized world, or you’re with the terrorists. All in the Middle East also must choose and must move decisively in word and deed against terrorist acts."

Yasser Arafat, chairman of the Palestinian Authority, has not consistently opposed or confronted terrorists. Chairman Arafat has denounced terror and he agreed to control it. "He’s not done so," said President Bush. Mr. Bush said, "The issue is whether or not the Palestinian people can have a hopeful future."

All parties have responsibilities. Israel faces hard choices of its own. Mr. Bush said that Israel must show "a respect for and concern about the dignity of the Palestinian people who are and will be their neighbors." Israel has recognized the goal of a Palestinian state. The U.S. shares this goal. "The outlines of a just settlement are clear," said President Bush, "two states, Israel and Palestine, living side by side, in peace and security."

President Bush said that, "We need to start immediately in building the institutions necessary for the emergence of a Palestinian state which, on the one hand, will give hope to the Palestinian people and, on the other hand, say to the world...that there is a chance to...live in peace, [and] to defeat terror."

There are terrorists who want to destroy any chance for peace. "We have the responsibility," said Mr. Bush, "to prevent them from doing so." As President Bush said, "If we stay focused and tough and resolute, we can win the war on terror."