Palestinian group praises Bushs peech 2-03-05

ATFP COMMENDS PRESIDENT BUSH FOR STATE OF UNION COMMITMENT TO BUILD PALESTINIAN STATE
FOR IMMEDIATE RELEASE

Contact: Rafi Dajani 202-887-0177

WASHINGTON, DC (1/24/05) - The American TaskForce on Palestine (ATFP), today applaudedPresident Bush for his State of the Union pledgeto help the Palestinian people build their state,ask Congress for aid for the Palestinians, andhelp Israelis and Palestinians achieve the goalof two democratic states, Israel and Palestine,living side by side in peace.

In his address, President Bush said that one ofthe main purposes of Secretary of State Rice'supcoming visit to Israel and Palestine would beto help the Palestinian people "build theinstitutions of a peaceful, independent anddemocratic state."

In a tangible expression ofU.S. commitment, the President indicated that hewould request that Congress provide $350 millionto "support Palestinian political, economic andsecurity reforms."


ATFP calls on theinternational community to join President Bush inproviding the critical assistance needed at thistime to help the Palestinians build their viable and democratic state.

"All of us, Americans, Palestinians and Israelis,working towards a peaceful solution to theconflict, are heartened by the President'scontinuing and consistent commitment to hisvision of two-states, Israel and Palestine,living in peace," said Ziad Asali, president ofATFP.

"This vision is truly within reach as thePresident noted, and for it to be ultimatelyrealized, the parties must remain focused onmeasures to bring an end to violence on allsides, engage in political and securitynegotiations, and refrain from all measures thatescalate tension and create obstacles toimplementing the Roadmap and ending theoccupation."

ATFP notes that President Bush's State of the Union remarks follow comments made earlier this week by Secretary of State Rice thatpeace would be impossible to achieve betweenIsraeli and Palestinians unless the Palestiniansgained a state of their own that was viable andthat satisfied their aspirations.

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