U.S. President George W. Bush on Tuesday stiffened his assertion that Israel's Prime Minister Sharon has the right to defend his country even as Sharon vowed to attack Israel's "enemies" anywhere it wants.
When asked about his position regarding the Israeli attack in Syria, Bush replied it was "necessary" in the framework of Israel's defense.
Premier Sharon said on Tuesday Israel will hit its enemies "any place and in any way" after Israel attacked what it described as a "terrorist camp" on Syrian soil, in retaliation for a Palestinian suicide bombing in Haifa on Saturday.
"The decisions that Israel makes to defend her people are valid decisions. We would be doing the same thing," Bush told reporters during a press conference in Washington, when asked about Sharon's remarks.
President Bush gave Sharon an opening on Monday when he said Israel "must not feel constrained" from defending itself.
In light of Sharon's remarks, Bush slightly modified his position on Tuesday by stressing that "it's important for the Prime Minister to avoid escalation."
"This country will defend our people. But we are also mindful when we make decisions, as the Prime Minister should be, that we fully understand the consequences of any decision, and that while he defends his people he doesn't create the conditions ... that would cause the escalation, the violence to escalate," Bush said. (Albawaba.com)
© 2003 Al Bawaba (www.albawaba.com)
