Bush Says He is "Disappointed" in Yasser Arafat

25 January 2002

Bush Says He is "Disappointed" in Yasser Arafat

Says he must do more to rout out terror in Mideast</P>

As President Bush toured a U.S. Coast Guard ship in Portland, Maine January 25, a reporter asked him whether he was considering cutting off ties with Palestinian Authority Chairman Yasser Arafat.

Bush did not respond directly to the question, but said Arafat needs to "make a full effort to do more to rout out terror in the Middle East."

Following is the White House transcript:

The White House
Office of the Press Secretary (Portland, Maine)
January 25, 2002 Remarks By The President While Touring United States Coast Guard Cutter Tahoma
Portland, Maine
12:25 P.M. EST

Question: Mr. President, are you consider cutting off ties to Yasser Arafat, sir?

The President: I am disappointed in Yasser Arafat. He must make a full effort to rout out terror in the Middle East. In order for there to be peace, we've got to rout out terror. And ordering up weapons that were intercepted on a boat headed toward -- headed for that part of the world, is not part of fighting terror, that's enhancing terror. And, obviously, we're very disappointed --

Question: We're told that you thought his explanation was insulting, sir.

The President: I never said that. Thank you, all.

End 12:27 P.M. EST