Diplomats' letter to Bush criticizes Mideast policies

Diplomats' letter to Bush criticizes Mideast policies

KATA KERTESZ, Associated Press Writer
Tuesday, May 4, 2004


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(05-04) 14:29 PDT WASHINGTON (AP) --

Sixty former U.S. diplomats have signed a letter to President Bush contending that his "unabashed support" for Israeli Prime Minister Ariel Sharon is costing the United States credibility and friends.

The letter expresses deep concern over Bush's April 14 endorsement of Sharon's proposal to pull out of Gaza but keep some Israeli settlements in the West Bank.

"By closing the door to negotiations with Palestinians and the possibility of a Palestinian state, you have proved that the U.S. is not an evenhanded peace partner," the letter said.

The number of diplomats who have signed the letter was disclosed by the office of Andrew I. Killgore, who was ambassador to Qatar from 1977-80. It was coauthored by Richard H. Curtiss, a former chief inspector of the U.S. Information Agency.

Although the letter focused on the Israeli-Palestinian conflict, it also mentioned Iraq and it was discussed extensively at a press conference that the group held Tuesday.


http://www.sfgate.com/cgi-bin/article.cgi?f=/news/archive/2004/05/04/national1729EDT0696.DTL