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Author Topic:   US won't make military decisions for Israel -Yet he told them to keep up another week
Venusian Love
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posted July 19, 2006 12:14 PM           Edit/Delete Message   Reply w/Quote
July 15, 2006, 9:16AM
As G-8 opens, pressure on Bush to condemn Israel
Some U.S. allies ask president to push for end to Lebanon offensive


By JULIE MASON
Copyright 2006 Houston Chronicle

ST. PETERSBURG, RUSSIA - President Bush's refusal to pressure Israel to cease attacks on Lebanon left a split Friday among world leaders gathering here for an annual summit of industrialized nations as escalating Mideast violence threatened to eclipse other issues.

Several U.S. allies, including leaders arriving for the Group of Eight summit, sharply condemned Israel's widening offensive against Lebanon, which Israel says is designed to force the release of two Israeli soldiers and halt cross-border rocket attacks.

Their vitriol left a lone position for Bush, who has staked out an arm's-length response to the Mideast clashes.

"The president is not going to make military decisions for Israel," White House spokesman Tony Snow told reporters in this historic northern city.


International pressure
Snow said Bush refused Lebanese Prime Minister Fouad Siniora's request that he call for an immediate cease-fire between Israel and the Syrian and Iranian-backed Hezbollah fighters in Lebanon.

Besides, the spokesman said, the conflict appeared too far gone for a cease-fire.

"It is unlikely that either or both parties are going to agree to that at this juncture, although we certainly hope that we get to a cease-fire soon and we hope that all parties work toward it," Snow said.

But it was unclear whether Bush could maintain his stance in the face of mounting international pressure for some form of intervention to end violent reprisals between Israel and the Hezbollah movement.

"No hostage-takings are acceptable," said Russian President Vladimir Putin, host of this year's summit. "But neither is the use of full-scale force in response to these, even if unlawful, actions. We will demand that all sides involved in the conflict immediately stop the bloodshed."

In more pointed criticism televised nationally in France, President Jacques Chirac said it appeared there may be an effort under way to destroy Lebanon.

"I find honestly — as all Europeans do — that the current (Israeli) reactions are totally disproportionate," Chirac said.

Bush, who had dinner with Putin Friday, has urged top ally Israel to show restraint. As of late Friday, Bush had not spoken directly with Israeli Prime Minister Ehud Olmert about the warfare.

"He believes that the Israelis have a right to protect themselves, and also that we think it's important that in doing that they try to limit as much as possible so-called collateral damage, not only to facilities but also to human lives," Snow said.

Aboard Air Force One to Russia from Germany, Bush called King Abdullah of Jordan, Egyptian President Hosni Mubarak and Siniora to help stem the violence that showed no hint of slowing after three tumultuous days.

Leaders at the annual summit here are expected to issue a statement condemning Hezbollah but making a clear distinction between the warring militants and the people and government in Lebanon.


Security tops agenda
The summit brings together the top officials of the United States, Russia, Germany, Canada, Japan, France, Italy and Great Britain. This year, they are expected to address energy security, infectious diseases and education.

Nuclear standoffs with Iran and North Korea probably will merit talks, too,

Bush today will meet privately with Italian Premier Romani Prodi, who said on departure for Russia that in the Middle East, ''We have regressed 20 years."

In London, British Prime Minister Tony Blair, also a staunch Bush ally, told reporters he recognizes Israel's right to defend itself, but not at the expense of others in the region.

"I entirely understand the desire, and indeed need, for Israel to defend itself properly, and I also understand the plight of Lebanon and the Lebanese government, not to say the many Palestinians that suffer as well," Blair said.

julie.mason@chron.com

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