Bush plays golf with dad on Father's Day, comments on Middle East

(15 Jun 2003)

1. US President George W. Bush and Laura, Barbara, and former US president George H. W. Bush leave chapel
2. SOUNDBITE: (English) George W. Bush, US President:
(Q: Sir, have the Israelis been justified in going after Hamas?)
"Wait for us to succeed peace. Wait for us to have two states, side by side - it's for everybody coming together to deny the killers the opportunity to destroy. And that's what they want to do. There are people in the Middle East who hate the thought of a peaceful Palestinian state. That's what they can't stand. And the objective of this government, and my objective as the President, is to move the process forward so a state is established; it will be a peaceful state, a free state, a prosperous state, so people have hope. And in the meantime, before that state is established, it is clear that the free world, those who love freedom and peace, must deal harshly with Hamas and the killers. And that's just the way it is in the Middle East. But we've laid out the way forward, and I intend to keep the process moving. And I believe we can have a peaceful Palestinian state living side by side with the Israelis. Have a great Father's Day. We'll be out there catching fish."

3. Bush Snr. and US President George W. Bush in golf buggy driving on golf course
4. Bush Snr. gets out, selects club and hits ball
5. President Bush hits ball
6. President Bush waves at media
7. Bush Snr. putts ball and father and son walk off course
9. UPSOUND: (English) George W Bush, US President:
(Q. How did you do?)
"Really lousy."
(Journalist: That was before the rain)
10. President Bush smiles and the two walk off course

STORYLINE:

US President George Bush said on Sunday he has not lost hope for peace in the Middle East and appealed for help in dealing harshly with Hamas and other militant groups responsible for renewed attacks on Israelis.

Speaking to reporters as he left the chapel near his family's compound in Maine, Bush said those who supported peace would have to deal with Hamas and 'other killers' harshly.

Bush's comments were his first on the recent surge in Mideast violence.

The first contingent of US monitors who intend to supervise implementation of the US-developed peace plan headed to the region on Saturday led by Assistant Secretary of State John Wolf.

Secretary of State Colin Powell and representatives of the United Nations, Russia and the European Union - which helped work out the peace blueprint - plan talks in Jordan this week.

Earlier in the day Bush and his father hit a cool, damp golf course early on Sunday morning, pulling up in a golf cart to the first tee and exclaiming "Happy Father's Day."

Bush who arrived in Kennebunkport on Thursday for a long Father's Day played golf with his father on a course not far from the former president's oceanfront estate at Walker's Point.

Asked what he planned to do for his father during the day, Bush said: "I'm going to play golf with dad, fish with dad, have lunch with dad, dinner with dad."

Bush is due to leave on Monday for New Jersey, where he will speak to the business community before returning to the White House.

Find out more about AP Archive: http://www.aparchive.com/HowWeWork
Twitter:   / ap_archive  
Facebook:   / aparchives   ​​
Instagram:   / apnews  


You can license this story through AP Archive: http://www.aparchive.com/metadata/you...