Bush Says Palestinians Need a New Leader

Bush Says Palestinians Need a New Leader
CAMP DAVID, Md. (AP) - President Bush told Palestinians on Thursday that if they want peace, they must have a leader who fights terror. He said Yasser Arafat "has failed as a leader" and accused him of forcing the resignation of a prime minister who had worked for peace. "Hopefully, at some point in time, a leadership of the Palestinian leadership will emerge which will then commit itself 100 percent to fighting off terror," Bush said as he met at the presidential retreat here with Jordan's King Abdullah II, a vital ally in the Middle East.

Bush in his infinite wisdom stated the obvious. However, wishful thinking will not make it so. It is time for Bush and I suppose Israel as well that no matter how distasteful it is to acknowledge Arafat is the leader of the Palestinian people and for any peace process to succeed Arafat must be aboard. There seems to have been in recent days some movement in that direction with a call by the PA for a cease fire and continuation of the road map. Whether it is real or just a ploy is unknowable however IMO with no other options it should be accepted at face value proceed.