ISRAEL :BUSH STOPS EXPANSIONPresident Bush responded negatively to the Israeli intention of expanding the illegal settlement of Maale Adumim outside Jerusalem. The request already caused troubles with the Palestinian leaders, but the American president wanted to make clear that there will be no expansion of any illegal settlement under the US-backed road map to the peace.
"Our position is very clear, that the road map is important, and the road map calls for no expansion of the settlements," said Bush adding that, "I'm optimistic that we can achieve a peace in the holy land. I'm optimistic because I firmly believe that Ariel Sharon wants to have a peaceful partner, wants there to be a democracy in the Palestinian territories." He also claimed to be optimistic about Sharon's intention in that territory,
"I believe Palestinian President Mahmud Abbas wants the same thing. And there's a lot of hard work to be done, but we're making progress."
al-Jazeera
Il Romanaccio at 11:55 AM