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Snags bedevil Bush’s Mideast plans

Posted: Thursday, January 10, 2008 10:54 AM
Filed Under:

By John Yang, NBC News' White House Correspondent 

After meeting with Palestinian President Mahmoud Abbas in Ramallah, President Bush made a bold prediction Thursday about a solution to the decades-old Israeli-Palestinian conflict: "I believe it's possible – not only possible, I  believe it's going to happen – that there be a signed peace treaty by the time I leave office. That's what I believe."

It is a goal that has been so elusive for so many of Bush's predecessors for so long, most recently when the President Clinton-hosted Camp David summit in 2000 collapsed without agreement.


VIDEO: Bush says 'Now is the time' for Mideast peace

And as if to remind Bush of the obstacles to Middle East peace, the president's morning was full of snags.

As their news conference began in the West Bank, the two leaders couldn't even hear each other's translated remarks.

"I'm not getting it," the president said as Abbas spoke in Arabic.

Navigates checkpoints
Even reaching the meeting was difficult. Heavy fog prevented Bush’s helicopter from making the less than 10-mile flight from Jerusalem, forcing his motorcade to drive through the Israeli checkpoints that anger and frustrate Palestinians by limiting their movements every day.

VIDEO: Bush predicts Mideast peace

Bush said he understood both the need for the checkpoints to protect Israelis from attacks and the disruption they bring to ordinary law-abiding Palestinians.

"My motorcade of 45 cars was able to make it though without being stopped," he said. "I'm not sure that's what happens with the average person."

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Comments

A desperate attempt to improve this presiden't legacy, doomed to failure. President Bush is the least able mediator in recent history, and the Israeli-Palestinian situation is irremediable.

Name Withheld, Roanoke VA (Sent Thursday, January 10, 2008 11:40 AM)

Pathetic and weak attempt by Bush to try and salvage his horrible Presidency.  His legacy will be judged none too kindly by the history books.

I can't wait till January 2009.

Max, Las Vegas, NV (Sent Thursday, January 10, 2008 12:06 PM)

"I'm not getting it," explains far more than the President intended.

A C Isham, Memphis, TN (Sent Thursday, January 10, 2008 12:14 PM)

How can Bush think he can implement a peace treaty ..the mistakes made in Iraq and Afganistan are so hugh.  In addition to that, he cannot even talk in public--that's why few if any press conferences.  He has absolutely no concept of how to broker any kind of agreement ( think of his 2 failed businesses ).  In addition all of his buddies are departing his administration and you NEVER hear from Cheney anymore.  He's a loser.

Mary Verheyen, Green Bay, WI (Sent Thursday, January 10, 2008 12:18 PM)

No comments yet.  What is there to say?  This bad movie is almost over, (we all hope), and the rest of the world has already moved past the Bush Years and begun to rebuild civilization.

I hope we can do the same.

gkam, pleasant hill, ca (Sent Thursday, January 10, 2008 12:22 PM)

Peace between Israel and Palestine in 12 months time. Seeing how this President has never been right about anything I have a very hard time believing anything he has to say. If he can bring about peace between Israel and Palestine it would leave him with a much better legacy than what he's done for the world so far. But he's proven to be a much better divider than uniter so I give this very little chance.

Dave Burton, Durant, Iowa (Sent Thursday, January 10, 2008 12:28 PM)

I love Bush's blind eye... Hamas, he said, was elected to help improve the lot of Palestinians, but “has delivered nothing but misery” which describes his own tenure as President of the United States and what he has inflicted upon its citizenry.

mp marr, cary, nc (Sent Thursday, January 10, 2008 12:28 PM)

If teh Village Idiot can forge a Middle East agreement I will take back everything I ever said about him.

Oscar (Sent Thursday, January 10, 2008 12:28 PM)

I want the 75 you promised for free public ed at udc,the vet center told me there are lots of disability bennies for me but i would rather work to pay for an education

Archie Villiard (Sent Thursday, January 10, 2008 12:29 PM)

Others have spent lifetimes trying to work out these problems (which have been around for about 2000 years).  Does he really think that after 7 years of ignoring it that the Arabs and Israelis will just fix it all in 12 months.  That might be the craziest thing he has said today.  But tomorrow is a new day for the insanity.

Tim Frend (Sent Thursday, January 10, 2008 12:30 PM)

Headline of accompanying story
Bush urges end of "occupation"

Anyone see the irony here?

Bill, Philadelphia, PA (Sent Thursday, January 10, 2008 12:31 PM)

Dubya...can I please have some of what you're smoking sir? The Arab world hates your guts, so why would you "believe it's going to happen" relative to obtaining a signed peace treaty? Other global leaders say what you want to hear while you're in the same room with them, then they go out and do whatever they feel like doing when you leave. You are unbelievably dumb and gullible buddy! I'm sure they all laugh at you behind your back you idiot! I can’t wait for you to go away once and for all.

John B, Denver, Colorado (Sent Thursday, January 10, 2008 12:33 PM)

Surprise his motorcade went through without stopping.When in the world will this man be sure of anything?

L.Sanford (Sent Thursday, January 10, 2008 12:34 PM)

this quote is typical of someone who has no clue to the complexities of the situation. Mr. Bush lives in his own macho dream world and he does not now or ever will understand anything that requires a complicated thought process...it is sad but true...

CDS, Santa Rosa, CA (Sent Thursday, January 10, 2008 12:39 PM)

Bush is sadly misguided, naive, and a political hack who thinks he can dictate to nations what he is unwilling to practice at home.  He urges the end of occupation of Arab lands but is unwilling to do the same for the U.S.  This "middle east peace push" is his final attempt at some sort of legacy that will fail, just like the rest of his policies.

Rich (Sent Thursday, January 10, 2008 12:39 PM)

Allowing this complete piece of irrelevant garbage anywhere near a foreign nation, let alone several in the Middle East is a mistake of monstrous proportions. Bush is an advanced stage of "lame duckness" and should be confined to the White House until it's time for him to return to his bunker in Texas. He has nothing to contribute.

Victor O'Day Brooklyn, NY (Sent Thursday, January 10, 2008 12:42 PM)

Is Bush for real? "The average person may not get the same special treatment that he gets" in reference to his motorcade and checkpoints. We can forgive Reagan for appearing stupid, but he was ill.

Jack Ensor, Farmington, NM (Sent Thursday, January 10, 2008 12:42 PM)

Why does President Bush, or any other president in this world, think he/they have the right to tell the country of Israel what they can or cannot do with their own borders.  Would America allow that?  Not on your life! Israel must have the right to defend herself.  Israel's very existance is at stake.  

P. Walker (Sent Thursday, January 10, 2008 12:49 PM)

Why does Pres. Bush need 45 cars in his motorcade?
Please explain. It seems to be to be an extravagant and expensive show!

Faith Lehman, Rocky Mount, NC (Sent Thursday, January 10, 2008 12:49 PM)

Obviously, Bush isn't going to bring peace to the Middle East or anywhere else.  He's going to get something signed so he can withdraw the troops simply because he's pretty much out of them.  He doesn't care what it says or what he has to do to get the right signatures on it.  He'll tell them anything, promise them anything.  It's all to make him look like the US isn't exhausted and overextended.  And, of course, it won't hold.  But he doesn't care about that either.  He just wants it to look like he completed his little mission--whatever it was--and he won't go down as the worst president in history.  A little late for that.

jorge (Sent Thursday, January 10, 2008 1:00 PM)

Mr President, I have voted for youin both of elections. I am with you on your war against terror. But i cannot condon your giving away Jerusalem to the Palestinians. the land they now occuply was given to the Israelites by God.As a christian you know you will have to answer to him for this act.

Donald Sisco , Eufaula Oklahoma; (Sent Thursday, January 10, 2008 1:01 PM)

He actually said "My motorcade of 45 cars was able to make it though without being stopped," he said. "I'm not sure that's what happens with the average person."

the last part validates that he is a moron.

Bush wacker (Sent Thursday, January 10, 2008 1:05 PM)

Oh, I love this... the president had difficulty maneuvering through all the checkpoints in the West Bank! Maybe he will really understand the truth of the Occupation, that Palestinians are being oppressed. They cant get to jobs, to school to even hospitals. This is the Truth of the situation. Maybe Bush's eyes have been opened. I hope he means what he says about really working to end the Occupation. The Palestinians have been given so much false hope in the past and this has gone on far too long. The US has not been an honest broker in the past. I just hope and pray that Bush will see and know the truth and bring true Peace to a region and a people that so deserve to have Peace. I just returned from the area, spending most of my time in the West Bank and I can assure everyone that the "Wall" is awful- 30 ft tall and yes, people are living in open-air prisons. The wall does not follow the agreed upon 1967 "Green Line", it TAKES Palestinian land and this is why so many Palestinians are unhappy. The Wall has been declared illegal under international law and so have the Settlements in the West Bank, which continue to expand on Palestinian land. The Palestinian people have suffered for 60 years, when they first became Refugees in 1948. Israel has suffered as well. Both sides have lost so much. Enough is enough, this needs to end. Pray for Peace for Israelis and Palestinians.

Dana, Edgewater, FL (Sent Thursday, January 10, 2008 1:06 PM)

I hope uou are right, Mr.President and peace will come before you leave office. Making it a crowning
mark on your time as president.DRJ

Donald Ray Jarvis (Sent Thursday, January 10, 2008 1:10 PM)

"My motorcade of 45 cars was able to make it though without being stopped," he said. "I'm not sure that's what happens with the average person."

Talk about being out of touch. He's not sure what happens to the average person. That is the problem with Bush. He has no idea what the average person, in Palestine or in America, has to go through in life. Bush has been so protected the only thing he knows about everyday life is seen through a prism of privilege and 'daddy covering his ass'. He has been a failure at everything he has tried, from oil tycoon {went bankrupt} to baseball owner {via a sweetheart deal} to governor {with daddy's help} to president {crowned the village idiot}. Thinking he can bring peace to the Middle East betrays his narcissist mentality and just how out of touch with reality he is.

Jerry Gifford (Sent Thursday, January 10, 2008 1:11 PM)

This guy truly lives in La La Land.

Bud (Sent Thursday, January 10, 2008 1:14 PM)


our "C" student in the land
of 'nukular' power and Uzi's
...good lord help us all....

BG-Minn (Sent Thursday, January 10, 2008 1:14 PM)

Why did he not recognize Hamas...the people's choice if he's so concerned with peace in the middle east. What a mess he'screated there!!!! Just like he was a failed governer, ceo of an oil empire and owner of a sport team. All his endeavours have been and are failures in my opinion and this trip to Israel is no different.  

Denise Toronto, Canada (Sent Thursday, January 10, 2008 1:15 PM)

If George W is so committed to producing an Israeli-Palestinian peace treaty, why is this the first time in his nearly seven years as President that he has visited Israel?  By 1998, Bill Clinton had visited Israel four times, and he wasn't able to broker a deal that could be maintained.  GW needs to understand (as though he hasn't had enough evidence already) that he can't just swoop in, tell everyone what to do, and expect it all to work out.  Has he learned absolutely nothing from his "diplomacy" in Iraq, Pakistan, Afghanistan, Iran, and North Korea?  It takes more than a grand proclimation (that will never happen) to save one's legacy, Mr. President.

Lisa, Seattle, Washington (Sent Thursday, January 10, 2008 1:16 PM)

God Bless Your President. He is a good concerned leader for all of America and the world. There are those in America who have no idea of what is at stake in the free world. With out strong leaders like your President we would all be big trouble. America is our last hope for a free world.

Uri Fensz (Ukraine) (Sent Thursday, January 10, 2008 1:24 PM)

MSNBC isn't noting this at all, but the Middle East press (i.e. al Jazeera) is making a huge deal about Bush's comment on his motorcade. This gaffe insulted Palestinians and now, even more so, they believe that the Bush Administration doesn't have a clue what's going on here.

http://english.aljazeera.net/NR/exeres/A197001F-06FF-407C-918B-8A1B2E2D7C1E.htm

Ryan, Washington, DC (Sent Thursday, January 10, 2008 1:24 PM)

There will never be a time when Israel will give up Jerusalem. Prophesy states the complete resurection of Israel, their land, people, language, tadition, and the rebuilding of the Temple. When the politics between Tel-Aviv and Jerusalem, and the rest of the world understand this, there be be a chance of co-existance.

Christian in St. Louis MO (Sent Thursday, January 10, 2008 1:25 PM)

Bush is the lamest duck we've ever had.  I can't stand him.  He's too stupid to have trouble sleeping at night.  What a putz.  He "wants to end the occupation of Arab land" yet he invaded Iraq.  I can't believe anyone voted for him in 2000, and I'm appalled at those who voted for him in 2004 (he technically won neither election).  

Mike, Half Moon Bay, CA (Sent Thursday, January 10, 2008 1:28 PM)

"I'm not getting it," the president said ...

Spoken like the true "Fool on the (Capitol) Hill" he is!

and he's one fool who will NEVER "get it".

T.L. Kruchten (Sent Thursday, January 10, 2008 1:30 PM)

Yeah, mabey you should all just keep your mouths shut and try  being the president for the day.  You all would not make it!!

Kelly, Kennewick Wash (Sent Thursday, January 10, 2008 1:35 PM)

It's easy for Bush to tell others to end the occupation of Arab land, but harder for him to take his own advice.  Get out of Iraq, little Bushie!

Dave Ojai, California (Sent Thursday, January 10, 2008 1:35 PM)

Bush's comment "I'm not getting it" speaks volumes. In another articles he's calls for the end to "occupation of Arab lands" by the Israelis as a step toward Mideast peace. Does he even listen to his own words? Maybe he could lead by example in Iraq and Afghanistan.

john doe, seattle, wash (Sent Thursday, January 10, 2008 1:37 PM)

Bush,
you are a total incompidant and you have betrayed the american people and all the service woman and men that served to keep our beautiful freedom.
You pushed the very people aside that gave you the
privlege of leading us to a better future.
Now get down off your high horse and get the hell out of the way so we the american people can try and repair the damage you have wought down on us.
Oh by the way CHAINEY dont think you can hide either.
Lastly , You yes you the american people, should be ashamed of ourselves because you the Guardian of this greatest country of all time has let Miss liberty down.
God help us all.
Chris

portland,oregon (Sent Thursday, January 10, 2008 1:37 PM)

Pres. Jimmy didn't try to save face. He just did the right thing. This Pres. will try anything for a better face at the end. It's to late, but good luck.

Tarver, Charlotte, N.C. (Sent Thursday, January 10, 2008 1:38 PM)

Bush is the Commander in Chief NINCOMPOOP.  Yeah sure, he's going to broker a peace after the utter chaos he has inflicted by his moronic neocon JERKS.  Barney could be a better diplomat than Bush.  The only thing more incredulous than Bush going to the Middle East is the American public "electing" this moron for a second time.  Well, really we ALL know he should NOT be in there.  We all know that our people were utterly screwed by a political Supreme Court and two election fraud tamperings.  He one the presidency like I won it.  If we get to 2009 in one piece I will consider us  lucky.  Natalie Rosen, Framingham, MA

Natalie Rosen, Framingham, MA (Sent Thursday, January 10, 2008 1:39 PM)

As he does with everything else........he says something will happen without  any idea of how  it's going to be done.and  when it falls flat, he blames someone else..nothing is ever his fault

mark (Sent Thursday, January 10, 2008 1:39 PM)

Everything that's been said about this sad, sad man has been said before.  Read Molly Ivans work from eight to ten years ago.  The problem for us is he will be most egregious the last ten days he's in office.  All you right wingers should be really proud you supported this sot.  You've screwed this country into the ground.  

Silence Do Good; Philadelphia, PA (Sent Thursday, January 10, 2008 1:42 PM)

The U.S. Presidential elections now on-going will elect for President someone which will pull us out of the Middle East, and no longer support Israel's fragile situation in the area. We again will be a isolationist country, which will allow the world's hatred for Israel to express itself throughout the region. Then the prophecy of the bible will be fulfilled , so the soon coming King will deliver His people as stated. Are you ready?

Lucian H. Caddo Mills, Tx. (Sent Thursday, January 10, 2008 1:42 PM)

Way to go, Mr. President, Keep up the good work.

Ron K (Sent Thursday, January 10, 2008 1:43 PM)

It would be nice if Cheney was there too, maybe somebody could shoot them both and really do the world a favor!

IHATEBUSH (Sent Thursday, January 10, 2008 1:43 PM)

"I'm not getting it" seems a fitting epitaph to the Bush presidency.

John, Austin TX (Sent Thursday, January 10, 2008 1:45 PM)

I'm no fan of Bush either, I did not vote for him either time. And I agree that it is an attempt at saving the last shreds of what will be his terrible legacy--the Iraq war. But I choose to be more optimistic...everyone else here has totally written Bush off. After meeting people in Israel and the West Bank and seeing the situation on the ground- I have no choice but to be Optimistic and Hopeful for THEIR sakes! Yes, we are priviledged, we are Americans and can go anywhere we want and have freedom. These people dont. So, as dumb and inept that I may think Bush is...I wont let that cloud this issue. Things may be different this time- I think the Israelis and the Palestinians REALLY want Peace now. Now the trick is, can they all agree, will Bush really be able to help broker peace OR is it just a fantasy. I for one would like to BELIEVE that Peace is Possible! I cant give up that Hope and I cant give up on my new found friends- Christian Palestians who deserve to live in Freedom and Peace.

Dana, Edgewater, FL (Sent Thursday, January 10, 2008 1:46 PM)

Mr. Bush, we're turning our attention to the Israeli/Palestinian conflict? Would it be possible for us to develop a plausable exit strategy for Iraq first? Or how about Afghanistan? I've heard that conflict called the forgotten war. Don't you have enough irons in the fire already?

Becky, St. Louis, MO (Sent Thursday, January 10, 2008 1:46 PM)

It'll never succeed.  Also, please note that this is our president's FIRST trip to Israel since becoming president, which tends to make me think he is thinking only of his legacy and not things like peace in the region.

Michael, Atlanta, GA (Sent Thursday, January 10, 2008 1:46 PM)

Give the kid a abreak - he's cramming for finals.

Lynn, San Antonio TX (Sent Thursday, January 10, 2008 1:46 PM)



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