Bush on Mideast: Time for Arafat to crack down on terrorists

By The Associated Press

ORLANDO, Fla. – President Bush said Tuesday it is time for Palestinian leader Yasser Arafat to crack down on Islamic militants and demonstrate whether he supports peace with Israel.

"It is incumbent upon Mr. Arafat now to respond forcefully, to rout out those who kill," Bush said. "We cannot let a few prevent the many from achieving a dream, which is lasting peace in the Middle East."

The president spoke at a town hall meeting after weekend bombings and shooting attacks on Israelis that killed 26 people and wounded nearly 200. "Israel's got no better friend that the United States, as far as I'm concerned," Bush said. The administration has declined to criticize Israel's reprisals for the attacks.

Bush met with Israeli Prime Minister Ariel Sharon on Sunday.

Bush also spoke about Israel earlier in the day in an interview with ABC News' "20/20."

"I support Israel's right to exist as a free nation, and I made that very clear to the prime minister of Israel," Bush said when asked if he supported Israel's retaliation.

"I think there are some Palestinians who don't want peace," Bush said, citing the terrorist organization Hamas. "There is no way that Israel can negotiate a peace process so long as its country is being terrorized."

Asked if Arafat is interested in peace, Bush said:

"That's what we're about to find out. ... It's now time for Mr. Arafat to prove whether or not he is for peace. And the way he can do that is to aggressively rout out those who would derail the peace process by murdering innocent Israelis. Innocent women, innocent children. Now is the time for him to step up and lead. ... He must show that behind his words of peace there is action. Because now is the time. ... We need action."

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