U.S. Secretary of State Colin Powell told NBC last night that Israelis need not fear an American attempt to \"sell out their security,\" and that the U.S. sees Israel as its close friend. Powell was responding to a question as to whether the Bush Administration would pressure Sharon to agree to a Palestinian state and the division of Jerusalem. \"Israel is the only democracy in the region,\" Powell said, \"and we will always support its security.\" The State Department spokesman said that Sharon has already agreed to a Palestinian state, but that there is no plan to present the sides with a Jerusalem-dividing map. The Boston Globe reported yesterday that the Bush administration \"is prepared in the next few weeks to publicly increase pressure\" on Sharon to accept \"not only a Palestinian state but a viable Palestinian homeland that includes a \'shared Jerusalem.\'\"
At the same time, it was reported that four Congressmen congratulated President Bush less than three weeks ago for his lack of pressure on Israel. U.S. Congressmen Jim Saxton, Anthony Weiner, Christopher Smith, and Robert Andrews wrote to Bush, \"We would like to thank you and members of your administration for continuing your policy on allowing Israel to establish its own timetable regarding negotiations with Yassir Arafat and the Palestinian Authority. Unfortunately,\" their letter continued, \"past administrations have pressured Israel to enter negotiations with poor results. In the waning days of the Clinton Administration, former Prime Minister Barak made many far-reaching concessions on a number of controversial issues... Chairman Arafat rejected these concessions and left the negotiating table and the result has been an escalation of violence... Recent events dictate that each country is ultimately responsible for the safety of its citizens and must act accordingly...\"
At the same time, it was reported that four Congressmen congratulated President Bush less than three weeks ago for his lack of pressure on Israel. U.S. Congressmen Jim Saxton, Anthony Weiner, Christopher Smith, and Robert Andrews wrote to Bush, \"We would like to thank you and members of your administration for continuing your policy on allowing Israel to establish its own timetable regarding negotiations with Yassir Arafat and the Palestinian Authority. Unfortunately,\" their letter continued, \"past administrations have pressured Israel to enter negotiations with poor results. In the waning days of the Clinton Administration, former Prime Minister Barak made many far-reaching concessions on a number of controversial issues... Chairman Arafat rejected these concessions and left the negotiating table and the result has been an escalation of violence... Recent events dictate that each country is ultimately responsible for the safety of its citizens and must act accordingly...\"