SHARM EL-SHEIK, Egypt — President Bush, taking the lead in the frustrating search for Mideast peace, pledged yesterday to work unstintingly for the goal of Israel and a Palestinian state living side by side. He said that "this is going to be a difficult process" but claimed progress already.
Following a path that has turned into dead ends for other presidents, Bush began his first trip to the Middle East with a stop at this Red Sea resort. Today, he will seek the support of Egypt, Saudi Arabia, Jordan and Bahrain at a summit with the new Palestinian prime minister, Mahmoud Abbas.
The United States is seeking Arab commitments to strengthen Abbas' credibility and raise his stature, hoping to marginalize Yasser Arafat, the longtime Palestinian leader who Bush says is untrustworthy.
"I know we won't make progress unless people assume their responsibilities," Bush said. "The first message is: I will dedicate the time and energy to move the process forward. And I think we'll make some progress. I know we're making progress."
Arriving at night, the president was greeted at the airport by Egyptian President Hosni Mubarak. Bush wrapped his arm around him in a hug. Mubarak signaled his acceptance of the U.S. formula for peace by inviting Abbas instead of Arafat to the summit.
Diplomatic sources said the Arab leaders would reaffirm their support for both an Israeli state and a Palestinian state coexisting side by side. They also were expected to offer recognition of Israel in exchange for Israel's withdrawal from territory it seized in the 1967 war, the sources said. The Arab world endorsed a similar plan by Saudi Arabia in March 2002.
Bush's first foray into the complicated world of Mideast negotiations poses a sharp test of the skills of a president whose mastery of foreign policy has been doubted at times. The president had resisted involvement in Mideast peace efforts but promised allies earlier this year that he would plunge in after the Iraq war.
Secretary of State Colin Powell said the summit was important to demonstrate Arab support for the road map and show that Arab leaders will be "speaking out as strongly as I expect the Palestinians to do in denouncing terror and violence and any support that is given to those that practice terror and violence."
Today's meeting will be followed by another summit in Jordan tomorrow with Abbas and Israeli Prime Minister Ariel Sharon, Israel's most prominent hawk. Powell called the two days of talks a "window of opportunity" to build momentum for ending 32 months of bloody Mideast violence and launching the U.S.-sponsored "road map" that envisions a Palestinian state by 2005.
Preparing for the talks, U.S. officials worked with Israelis and Palestinians on the wording of possible declarations in which the two sides would recognize the other's right to statehood and security. Such declarations are required by the road map, the phased peace plan that calls for an immediate cease-fire and reciprocal steps by the two parties.
Powell took note of Sharon's statement to his Cabinet on Sunday that Israel would dismantle settlements in Palestinian-controlled areas that have been set up in violation of Israeli law, according to an official who was present. Sharon's commitment showed that Israel believes that "it's a situation that is unsustainable over time," Powell said.
He said the settlement issue would be discussed at Wednesday's meeting. "I think it's well understood that the outposts are not there properly and will have to be removed," Powell said.
On the Palestinian side, Abbas' government continued to work toward a declaration of a cease-fire on attacks against Israelis by militant groups like Hamas. While Israel demands a crackdown, including arrest of Hamas militants, Abbas prefers to negotiate a truce.
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Palestinians run for cover and protect their ears after Israeli soldiers threw a concussion grenade against the crowd waiting to cross the Kalandia checkpoint, that separates the outskirts of Jerusalem from the West Bank town of Ramallah yesterday. Due to
