RAMALLAH, West Bank - Palestinian Authority leader Mahmud Abbas, speaking after a routine medical checkup in Amman, said on Friday he planned to create the post of vice president for the authority. Speaking to reporters shortly after his return from Jordan, Abbas said: "I will make a vice president under me. This issue is important and necessary. We must create this position."
| Seeing as the last two presidents have been so effective ... |
He would put the idea to the Palestinian Legislative Council (parliament) and the cabinet, as well as other governing bodies, to see the scramble test their reactions.
Commenting on his landmark summit with US President George W. Bush at the White House last week, Abbas appeared much encouraged by the support shown by the US leader but said the Palestinians needed to see promises turn into realities. "There are many important theoretical results but we are waiting to see what is implemented on the ground," he said.
| Not that you'll actually do anything yourself ... |
At the summit, Bush gave a solid vote of confidence to the Palestinian leader after spurning contact with his late predecessor Yasser Arafat. "President Bush told me important things about the Gaza withdrawal and said it would not be the last withdrawal," Abbas said.
"He also said there must be a connection between (a withdrawal from) Gaza and (from) the West Bank, and that there must be a connection between the Gaza withdrawal and the roadkillmap," he said, referring to the Mideast peace blueprint.
Abbas also said that Bush had expressed himself in favour of an Israeli pullback to the lines before the start of the Palestinian uprising, which erupted in September 2000. "If they (Israel) want to change the border between us, there is already a border which was laid down in 1949," he said, referring to the internationally-recognised armistice line, known as the Green Line.
| Which the Paleos never really seemed to accept over the years, but it's impolite to point that out ... |
"He said any change (to the borders) needs agreement in final negotiations," Abbas said, adding that Bush also reiterated his position that Israel must stop building settlements in the West Bank. |