US does U-turn on Sharon's Palestinian plans
US President George Bush’s spokesman performed a U-turn today, reacting warmly to much of Israeli Prime Minister Ariel Sharon’s latest prescription for dealing with the Palestinians.
“We were very pleased with the overall speech,” said Scott McClellan said in an apparent effort to offset published accounts that focused on his admonition last night that Sharon should not try to impose a settlement without negotiations.
In an exchange with reporters today the White House spokesman offered no criticism of Sharon’s speech in which the Sharon offered to remove some settlements on the West Bank and make other concessions.
On Thursday night McClellan criticised Sharon for considering one-sided measures, advised Israel not to try to dictate terms of a settlement.
“We would oppose any unilateral steps that block the road toward negotiations under the road map,” he said.
“The United States believes that a settlement must be negotiated and we would oppose any effort – any Israeli effort – to impose a settlement.”
Today McClellan said Sharon had made “some important pledges” about immediate Israeli actions that include eliminating unauthorised outposts on the West Bank and improving Palestinian life by reducing curfews, roadblocks, checkpoints and closures, and by increasing freedom of movement.
Also, the spokesman noted that Sharon had talked about elements of a freeze on Jewish settlements on the West Bank and in Gaza.
“We are working hard with the parties to move forward to make progress on the road map,” McClellan said, referring to a blueprint for peacemaking that has the backing of the US, UN, EU and Russia.
The spokesman again called on Sharon and Palestinian Prime Minister Ahmed Qureia to meet soon, face to face.
