Bush: Past peace talks failed due to lack of Arab involvement

By AP, JPOST.COM STAFF
Previous peace talks between Israel and the Palestinians were unsuccessful due to a lack of Arab involvement in the process, US President George W. Bush said Tuesday during his trip to Saudi Arabia. "Part of my mission was to make clear why talks failed in the past. There wasn't participation by the neighbors," Bush said, referring to Arab countries that have kept an arm's length from the negotiations. Bush said he was convinced that the Arab leaders want to see the creation of a Palestinian state in a peace agreement with Israel. "They definitely want it to happen," he said, "and they questioned the seriousness of the United States to remain involved in what has been a long and frustrating process." "They want to see a deal done," he said. "The issue frustrates them."