Big powers are split as UN envoys begin work

[spindrifter]

The Times July 15, 2006

Big powers are split as UN envoys begin work
From James Bone, in New York

THE big powers split yesterday over the fighting in the Middle East as leaders gathered for the G8 summit in Russia, with President Bush refusing to demand that Israel halt its military action.

President Putin, host of the summit in St Petersburg, called for an immediate end to hostilities between Israel and Lebanon. “We assume that all sides in conflict should immediately end their military action. That should be the starting point for resolving all other problems,” Mr Putin told an international group of teenagers.

Mr Bush said he would not tell Israel to end its military action, although he hoped for a ceasefire soon. Mr Bush spoke by phone to Fouad Siniora, the Lebanese Prime Minister, who appealed to him to tell Israel to limit its military operations.

Asked if Mr Bush had agreed to Mr Siniora’s request, Tony Snow, the White House spokesman, said: “No. The President is not going to make military decisions for Israel.” Mr Bush “believes the Israelis have the right to protect themselves and that in doing that they should limit as much as possible so-called collateral damage not only to facilities but also to human lives”, Mr Snow said.

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http://www.timesonline.co.uk/article/0,,3-2270912,00.html

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Urging both sides to cease military agression and calling for diplomatic efforts to resolve this fiasco is a far cry from telling the two sides what to do. No Nobel Peace Prize for Bushco.