Bush urges Abbas to continue efforts against violence – White House press release/Non-UN document

White House Report, October 17: Middle East, South Asia, Nuclear Energy, Italy

Bush urges Palestinian leader Abbas to continue efforts against violence

BUSH, ABBAS TO DISCUSS SECURITY ISSUES OCTOBER 20

President Bush will continue to urge Palestinian President Mahmoud Abbas to speak out and take steps against violence, White House press secretary Scott McClellan said.

The two leaders will meet in Washington October 20 to discuss the Middle East peace process, including efforts to reduce violent attacks by Palestinian militants on Israelis, McClellan said.

“President Abbas has been someone who has spoken out about ending the violence and stopping the terror, and we appreciate that.  We want to continue to urge them to take steps in that direction,” the press secretary said.

He said the Bush administration is continuing to urge the Palestinian leadership to implement law and order in Gaza in the wake of Israel’s withdrawal, and to move forward on good governance. 

The United States has been supportive in these efforts he said, with Army Lieutenant General William Ward helping to train and organize Palestinian forces and supporting former World Bank President James Wolfensohn’s efforts to further Palestinian economic development. (For more on U.S. policy in the region, see The Middle East:  A Vision for the Future.)