*EPF203 02/26/2002
White House Report, Feb. 26: Saudi idea, Arafat, Chretien, Africa
(Bush/Crown Prince Abdullah, Arafat, Chretien, Africa, Nominations) (800)

White House Press Secretary Ari Fleischer briefed reporters at the White House midday February 26.

BUSH PHONES CROWN PRINCE ABDULLAH OF SAUDI ARABIA, PRAISES IDEA ON MIDEAST

The White House Press Secretary said President Bush "began his day by calling Crown Prince Abdullah of Saudi Arabia. The President praised the Crown Prince's ideas regarding full Arab-Israeli normalization, once a comprehensive peace agreement can be achieved. The President also conveyed the United States desire to continue to work closely with the Kingdom of Saudi Arabia in the pursuit of Middle East peace. Both leaders reiterated their commitment to the important U.S.-Saudi relationship." In response to repeated questions about the significance of the Saudi idea on the Middle East conflict, Fleischer called it "a note of hope."

Fleischer said that "in and of itself," it does "not change anything on the ground in the Middle East. The situation remains a very complicated situation and a very violent one. And nothing has changed the President's fundamental belief that the Mitchell accords are the best path, the best process to achieve a comprehensive peace agreement that is agreed to by the two parties in the Middle East."

BUSH CALLS ON ARAFAT TO DO MORE TO STOP VIOLENCE

Asked what Yasser Arafat has to do now, the White House Press Secretary said the President believes "that Chairman Arafat has to do more to stop the violence. That is the President's view."

Asked if Bush believes that the time is near that he should sit down with the Palestinian Authority Chairman one-on-one to try to drive the Mideast peace process forward, Fleischer said, "No."

The White House Press Secretary said the Saudi idea, "which the President welcomes, is a statement about the final result, that Saudi Arabia would recognize Israel at the end of the day, when there is a comprehensive peace process or peaceful solution agreed to" on the Middle East.

"To get to that result, it requires a process" said Fleischer. "What the President has said is the best process to arrive at that result is the Mitchell agreement, the Mitchell accords, which begins with security talks between Israel and the Palestinians, that would then proceed into talks of a more political nature about negotiations in the region to achieve a more meaningful, lasting peace, discussions ultimately about the settlement policy, and then hopefully, a comprehensive peace. That's the outline of what the Mitchell process agrees to."

The Press Secretary added that "to have Arab nations weighing in now with additional thoughts that are reflective of the will of the region to create peace is a helpful part of the process."

Asked if the Saudis embrace essentially the same sequence, Fleischer responded, "I think that there's no question that the Mitchell accords were welcomed by all parties at the time that they were announced last year. So again, there is an agreement on what the process should be. It's just proved to be very difficult, given the violence. And when it comes to the violence, the President's message remains the same, that Chairman Arafat still needs to do more to stop the violence."

BUSH, CHRETIEN DISCUSS THEIR RECENT TRIPS

The White House Press Secretary said President Bush also spoke the morning of February 26 with Prime Minister Chretien of Canada. "The President discussed his recent trip to Asia, and the Prime Minister discussed with the President his recent trip to Russia and Germany.

"The President," said Fleischer, "reiterated the United States's commitment to ongoing consultation with allies in the war against terrorism. They also discussed some trade issues between the United States and Canada."

BUSH MEETING WITH PRESIDENTS OF MOZAMBIQUE, ANGOLA, BOTSWANA

Fleischer said Bush later on February 26 would be meeting with "the Presidents of Botswana, Mozambique and Angola to discuss conflict resolution in the region, particularly Angola, as well as economic issues, trade issues, and development issues in sub-Saharan Africa."

NOMINATIONS SENT TO THE SENATE

The White House announced that the following nominations had been sent to the Senate:

Major General Charles F. Bolden, Jr., United States Marine Corps, to be Deputy Administrator of the National Aeronautics and Space Administration, vice James R. Thompson, Jr., resigned.

Robert Watson Cobb, of Maryland, to be Inspector General, National Aeronautics and Space Administration, vice Roberta L. Gross.

Michael Alan Guhin, of Maryland, a Career Member of the Senior Executive Service, for the rank of Ambassador during his tenure of service as U.S. Fissile Material Negotiator.

Otto J. Reich, of Virginia, to be an Assistant Secretary of State (Western Hemisphere Affairs), vice Peter F. Romero, to which position he was appointed during the recess of the Senate from December 20, 2001, to January 23, 2002.

(Distributed by the Office of International Information Programs, U.S. Department of State. Web site: http://usinfo.state.gov)

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