WASHINGTON - President Bush declined to criticize Israel Monday for its air
strike inside Syria, saying Israel "has got a right to defend herself." But
Bush also said he had cautioned Israeli Prime Minister Ariel Sharon to try to
avoid escalating tensions in the region.
Bush decried the "needless murder" of 19 people in a suicide attack by a
Palestinian militant group in Israel on Saturday that led to the Israeli
attack on a suspected terrorist camp in Syria.
Bush said that the Palestinian Authority must do more to fight terror and
"must use whatever means is necessary .... All parties must assume
responsibility."
Bush commented after the new Palestinian prime minister, Ahmed Qureia, said
he hopes to negotiate a quick truce with Israel, but won't use force against
Palestinian militants under any circumstances - despite U.S. demands for a
clampdown on armed groups.
The president was asked if he could work with a prime minister who would
not use force against militants.
"We have not changed...the parties need to assume responsibility for their
action in order for there to be peace," he replied.
During a White House news conference with Kenyan President Mwai Kibaki,
Bush said that he had spoken with Sharon on Sunday.
"I made it very clear to the prime minister that...Israel's got a right to
defend herself, that Israel must not feel constrained in terms of defense of
the homeland," he said.
However, Bush added, "I said that it's very important all action should
avoid escalation creating higher tensions."
