After 6 years of disinterest, why is Bush suddenly scheduling a peace conference in the middle east?

Question

http://news.yahoo.com/s/nm/20070716/pl_nm/bush_mideast_dc;_ylt=ArPqNKKlqPZxNuMPTDawdSLMWM0F

tinc - the peace conference is for the Palestinian--Israel problem, and Bush completely withdrew from all negotiations at the beginning of his presidency.

Answer 1

Wow, after all the liberal blab about "his legacy" and "he wants to appease XYZ" no one has really got the answer. Further, you guys are saying Bush - good 'ol stubborn, won't-admit-when-he's-wrong BUSH is actually trying to appease someone?! Egads!!

The real answer is this:
We, along with our allies, are employing a strategy intended to isolate and minimize Hamas while bolstering support for Abbas's government. Since the fracture, we have lifted sanctions on Fatah, Israel has pledged to release Palestinians to Fatah, and, of course, this. The hope is that Fatah will make gains over the small group that Hamas enjoys support from, ultimately undermining Hamas and moving towards reconcilation with Israel.

In the end we hope that recent events in that region will ultimately bear the fruits of Peace.

Answer 2

If you actually look it is not 6 years of disinterest, Back before 9-11 he had already made a move to the Palestinians on a two state scenario. 9-11 changed how we all viewed the world but the Palestinians at the time rejected his solution. So the President has always been there to push this the Palestinians just have been more interested in fighting and supporting leaders like Saddam.

Answer 3

Well, this is only my cynical little guess... I think he's PO'd because Jimmy Carter has spoken out against the Iraq War and his administration. So, Bush had Condi Rice read "Palestine: Peace Not Apartheid" and is sending her to create a legacy for him. Meanwhile, back at the ranch, he'll throw $750 million at Pakistan to win over 'hearts and minds' and wait for Jimmy Carter's book to be made into a movie.
http://www.nytimes.com/2007/07/16/world/asia/16pakistan.html?th&emc=th

Answer 4

How do you come to the conclusion that there has been 6 years of disinterest? Iraq and Iran are both in the middle east. Condelezza Rice has been to Israel, Syria, and others in the middle east. Seems like a lot of interest to me.

Answer 5

I do not think it is sudden, nor do I think there has been disinterest. It was useless to seek peace with the bloodthirsty terrorists at first. Now may be an opportune time. And, you would criticize him if he did not schedule a peace conference. As far as libs are concerned they grasp at straws to find fault with everything President Bush does or does not do.

Answer 6

You're kidding, right? He's been involved with the Palestinian/Israel thing from the start. Did you forget that "Roadmap to Peace" deal that the libbies so resoundingly vilified in 2002?

Answer 7

Bush set a fairly LOW standard for the PA to meet:
1. demonstrate leadership by disarming the militias
2. demonstrate statehood by stopping attacks on Israel
3. demonstrate nationhood by investing in infrastructure instead of homicide bombers

the PA - and the "palestinians" - have done NONE of these things.

I think GWB is wrong to hold a conference until AFTER the above 3 things happen.

Answer 8

Isn't that what all Presidents that have done nothing during their time in office do? Clinton and Carter both did the same thing toward the end of their terms.

Answer 9

Mostly because of public opinion and his advisors telling him if he gives some credence to the Iraq Study Group that it will go a long way in healing some of the damage he has done by being so stubborn about his own course.

Answer 10

I loved it when he talked about having a government that obeyed the law and got rid of corruption. How could he say stuff like that without laughing. That is too funny.