http://www.jpost.com/Editions/2000/08/02/News/News.10417.html
Bush Will Support Israel Unconditionally
By Janine Zacharia, Jerusalem Post, 08/02/2000
PHILADELPHIA (August 2) - As president, George W.
Bush would support Israel even if it decides not to take risks
for peace, former president Ronald Reagan's secretary of
state told a Jewish audience gathered here for the
Republican National Convention.
After an opening day that focused on education and
showcased black and Hispanic Republicans, the Republican
Convention's thrust yesterday shifted to national security
and defense, and to why George W. Bush is the most suitable
to lead the US on the world stage.
The theme was expected to be continued tonight with a
speech by Bush's running mate, Richard Cheney, secretary
of defense during the administration of George W. Bush's
father, President George Bush.
Former secretary of state George Shultz, who served in the
Reagan administration during Yitzhak Shamir's premiership
and who is now a foreign policy adviser to Bush, echoed the
Republican platform's Middle East position, saying "it is up to
the Israelis to decide" what is best for them.
He recalled a speech made by Vice President Al Gore, the
Democratic presidential candidate, last year in which Gore
said America should stand by Israel when it takes risks for
peace.
"I said I didn't agree with that. I think the US should stand by
Israel. Period. When you say risks for peace you are saying
risks to your security," Shultz told the audience of about 150
Republican Jewish activists and leaders, who responded
with a loud ovation.
"I've discussed this at some length with Governor Bush. I
know he has the same view I do," he added.
George W. Bush's top foreign policy adviser, Condoleeza
Rice, was due last night to outline the Texas governor's
foreign policy views.
In a brief appearance at the luncheon hosted by the
Republican Jewish Coalition, a group of American Jews who
are Republicans, Rice emphasized that a Bush administration
would continue the "bipartisan tradition of support" for Israel.
She said any Arab-Israeli agreement would have to be one
which"both parties feel will make them feel secure."
"I'm not trying to do a tour of the world," Rice told The
Jerusalem Post a few hours before she was due to appear at
Philadelphia's First Union convention center.
She said her speech would focus on "who we are as a people
and what that means for our foreign policy." Rice, 45, who
has been mentioned as a possible national security adviser
should Bush win the election in November, said she would
discuss the Middle East in her speech, which was carefully
drafted by Bush's foreign policy team. At a function hosted
by AIPAC, she said that Israel was a strategic ally and that
the US-Israel relationship needed to be cultivated.
Bush, who has served two terms as governor of Texas, has
limited experience in foreign affairs outside of dealing with
neighboring Mexico. He has been striving to present himself
as knowledgeable enough to guide the US in issues ranging
from the Middle East through the former Soviet Union to
Asia.
Last night's scheduled featured speakers also included
Persian Gulf war general H. Norman Schwarzkopf, former
senator Bob Dole, and Senator John McCain (R-AZ), who
was to speak about the importance of military strength.
McCain, who abandoned a challenge to Bush earlier this
year for the Republican nomination, has since endorsed the
Texas governor.
On Monday night, Bush's wife Laura spoke about the
importance of education in America's schools. Former
chairman of the Joint Chiefs of Staff General Colin Powell,
mentioned as a potential secretary of state in a Bush
administration, spoke about domestic challenges.
"The issue of race still casts a shadow over our society,
despite the impressive progress we have made over the last
40 years to overcome the legacy of our troubled past,"
Powell said.
