Letter: More than a map is needed

Wednesday, May 28, 2003 | 8:56 a.m.

It certainly is amusing to observe the difference a statement makes when one wants to take credit for something that belonged to someone else.

Remember when Yasser Arafat and his wife visited the Clinton White House and Hillary Clinton embraced Mrs. Arafat? The Republicans went ballistic to think that anyone would do that, and say that the Palestinians had a right to self-determination as Hillary said.

Now President G.W. Bush, as though it is a whole new idea that Palestinians deserve to become a state, has proposed his "Road Map to Peace." It won't work just because Bush says it will.

The Israelis have held Palestinians in occupation now for 55 years, and what makes Bush think it will be any different now?

JAMES J. POUPARD

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