Mixed press for Bush visit

Bush hopes to encourage talks between Israel and Palestine

US President George Bush receives a mixed welcome in papers across the Middle East as he arrives in Israel to mark the country's 60th anniversary.

In Israel itself, papers praise his relationship with their country and express their support for what he wants to achieve in the Middle East peace process before leaving office. In Palestinian dailies, the president's visit is given little attention, although one urges Palestinians to show Mr Bush and the West that they remain true to their cause.

Elsewhere in the Arab world, papers say his visit merely confirms US support for the Palestinian "catastrophe", with one warning that he may make the situation worse.

SHMUEL ROSNER IN ISRAEL'S HA'ARETZ

Bush comes to his second and final visit to Israel as president with a sense of serenity about what he has done and about what he will not manage to do. This serenity is worth adopting by subsequent administrations.

EDITORIAL IN ISRAEL'S JERUSALEM POST

Of all the US presidents over the past 60 years, it is hard to think of a better friend to Israel than George W Bush... Bush combines a personal affinity toward Israel with policies that are generally responsive to its concerns... Washington already has a strong security commitment to Jerusalem. Now we would urge the president to work for an upgrade in Israel's relationship with NATO.

DAVID HOROVITZ IN ISRAEL'S JERUSALEM POST

[In his 12 May interview] Bush made it crystal clear that he wants to see at least a framework agreement concluded before he leaves office. And the indications are that he believes this can best be achieved by focusing first on borders because only if they [Palestinians] are satisfied with the parameters of their state-in-waiting might they possibly be wooed toward compromise on the refugee issue.

EDITORIAL IN PALESTINIAN AL-QUDS

Since Bush and the other leaders [participating in Israel's independence celebrations] have decided to come, we propose that on this occasion they visit one of the refugee camps... We should send a message that we're staying here and will never abandon the right of return.

EDITORIAL IN EGYPT'S AL-AHRAM

Before his last visit to the region, Bush says: I truly believe that the countries of the world have to give the Middle East a great deal of attention, so that it can enjoy stability, prosperity and peace... This message comes very late... Bush could have done a lot and taken advantage of the great support the US enjoyed after the 11 September attacks to push for a solution to the chronic problem of the Palestinian-Israeli conflict.

ISAM DARI IN SYRIA'S TISHRIN

An unprecedented western gathering, led by US President George Bush, will participate in the 60th anniversary of Palestine's usurpation... Representatives of the imperial [Western] countries are coming to Israel to confirm their continuity in supporting this poisonous fungus that they planted in the Arab garden to spoil it, destroy it and spread chaos, terrorism and crime in the Arab region.

TAHIR AL-IDWAN JORDAN'S AL-ARAB AL-YAWM

Bush is getting ready to commit his biggest mistake when he heads today for Israel to participate in the Zionists' celebrations of the 60th anniversary of Palestine's catastrophe, while carrying a basket of promises and pledges which might be even more dangerous than Balfour's inauspicious promise [1917 Balfour Declaration in favour of a Jewish "national home" in what was then known as Palestine]

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