Egypt, Jordan discuss boosting agricultural cooperation    UK inflation accelerates in June on transport costs    Egypt rejects Gaza tent city proposals    Egypt condemns Israeli strikes on Lebanon, Syria    Al-Sisi reviews Egypt's food security, strategic commodity reserves    Egypt signs strategic agreements to attract global investment in gold, mineral exploration    Syria says it will defend its territory after Israeli strikes in Suwayda    Tut Group launches its operations in Egyptian market for exporting Egyptian products    China's urban jobless rate eases in June '25    Egypt's Health Minister reviews drug authority cooperation with WHO    Egypt urges EU support for Gaza ceasefire, reconstruction at Brussels talks    Pakistan names Qatari royal as brand ambassador after 'Killer Mountain' climb    Health Ministry denies claims of meningitis-related deaths among siblings    Egypt, Mexico explore joint action on environment, sustainability    Egypt, Mexico discuss environmental cooperation, combating desertification    Needle-spiking attacks in France prompt government warning, public fear    Foreign, housing ministers discuss Egypt's role in African development push    Korea Culture Week in Egypt to blend K-Pop with traditional arts    CIB finances Giza Pyramids Sound and Light Show redevelopment with EGP 963m loan    Egypt's PM urges BRICS to prioritise peace    Greco-Roman tombs with hieroglyphic inscriptions discovered in Aswan    Egypt reveals heritage e-training portal    Three ancient rock-cut tombs discovered in Aswan    Sisi launches new support initiative for families of war, terrorism victims    Egypt's GAH, Spain's Konecta discuss digital health partnership    Egypt expands e-ticketing to 110 heritage sites, adds self-service kiosks at Saqqara    Egypt's Irrigation Minister urges scientific cooperation to tackle water scarcity    Palm Hills Squash Open debuts with 48 international stars, $250,000 prize pool    Egypt's Democratic Generation Party Evaluates 84 Candidates Ahead of Parliamentary Vote    On Sport to broadcast Pan Arab Golf Championship for Juniors and Ladies in Egypt    Golf Festival in Cairo to mark Arab Golf Federation's 50th anniversary    Germany among EU's priciest labour markets – official data    Cabinet approves establishment of national medical tourism council to boost healthcare sector    Egypt's PM follows up on Julius Nyerere dam project in Tanzania    Paris Olympic gold '24 medals hit record value    A minute of silence for Egyptian sports    Russia says it's in sync with US, China, Pakistan on Taliban    It's a bit frustrating to draw at home: Real Madrid keeper after Villarreal game    Shoukry reviews with Guterres Egypt's efforts to achieve SDGs, promote human rights    Sudan says countries must cooperate on vaccines    Johnson & Johnson: Second shot boosts antibodies and protection against COVID-19    Egypt to tax bloggers, YouTubers    Egypt's FM asserts importance of stability in Libya, holding elections as scheduled    We mustn't lose touch: Muller after Bayern win in Bundesliga    Egypt records 36 new deaths from Covid-19, highest since mid June    Egypt sells $3 bln US-dollar dominated eurobonds    Gamal Hanafy's ceramic exhibition at Gezira Arts Centre is a must go    Italian Institute Director Davide Scalmani presents activities of the Cairo Institute for ITALIANA.IT platform    







Thank you for reporting!
This image will be automatically disabled when it gets reported by several people.



Bush addresses Arab television saying America is a 'country of peace'
Published in Daily News Egypt on 07 - 10 - 2007

CAIRO: In a rare interview with an Arabic satellite news station, US President George W. Bush denied that the United States is gearing up to attack Iran and said he remains committed to working diplomatically to resolve the standoff with Tehran over its nuclear program.
Bush, in an hour-long interview with Al-Arabiya TV, also reiterated his pledge to negotiate with Iran if it gives up its nuclear program.
I have said that if they suspend their nuclear program, we will be at the table, Bush said, according to a transcript of the interview the White House released on Friday. But they have so far refused to do that.
Bush brushed off as gossip reports in the Arab press that he has issued orders to senior US military officials to prepare for an attack on Iran at the end of January or in February.
I would call that empty propaganda, Bush said. Evidently, there s a lot of gossip in the parts of the country - world that try to scare people about me personally or my country or what we stand for. And that kind of gossip is just what it is. It s gossip. It s baseless gossip.
In the hour-long interview, Bush acknowledged that some people in the Middle East think he is against Islam and is a man or war. The interview was conducted on Thursday in the Oval Office and two other areas of the White House by the Saudi-owned satellite news broadcaster.
I understand the images of my country have been distorted, Bush said. And I understand people say things about me personally that simply aren t true. And so I appreciate the chance to come and talk to you directly and to talk to your viewers directly about what s in my heart and about the fact that my country is a country of peace.
The president said he was optimistic about the chances for Middle East peace ahead of a US-sponsored conference expected to be held in Annapolis, Maryland, in mid- to late-November. Israelis and Palestinians are in deep discussions over the framework of the talks, while Arab leaders have expressed deep skepticism over the conference.
I m very optimistic we can achieve a two-state solution, he said, as Israelis and Palestinians are preparing for US-sponsored peace talks set for November. It s an opportunity for there to be a serious, substantive discussion about the way forward, and a two-state solution.
Bush pledged to support Palestinian security forces and help President Mahmoud Abbas financially so that ordinary people s lives would be improved. He added that US strategy is to get all parties to the table for general peace, with the first step being a commitment from Israelis and Palestinians to the concept of peace before embarking on the road map to create two states living peacefully side by side.
Arab leaders, however, have expressed doubt over the seriousness of the conference and expressed fear that it will be little more than an empty photo opportunity.
Bush said he was deeply concerned about interference from Syria and other neighboring countries, into presidential elections in Lebanon. He also urged the international community to follow through quickly in holding an international tribunal to bring to justice those who killed former Prime Minister Rafik Hariri, slain in a massive 2005 truck bombing.
I m frustrated, frankly, by the pace at which the tribunal is lingering. It s not moving, Bush said. There needs to be a definitive moment where the evidence is laid out, and if it s clear evidence.


Clic here to read the story from its source.