Bush suspects Syria trying to reassert influence

Cease-fire caution from Rice
Rice, who spoke Monday with Israeli Prime Minister Ehud Olmert, said Tuesday that any cease-fire in Mideast fighting ought to be based on fundamental changes that could lead to a lasting impact.

“We all want a cessation of violence,” Rice said. “We all want the protection of civilians. We have to make certain that anything that we do is going to be of lasting value.”

Rice said there must be a conducive environment for a cease-fire. That, she said, would involve implementation of a standing U.N. Security Council resolution and the deployment of the Lebanese army to the borders, as well as the introduction of a strong peacekeeping operation.

A U.N. Security Council resolution in 2004 led to withdrawal of Syrian forces from Lebanon. But its call for disarming militant guerrillas has not been heeded.

Rice, at a joint news conference with Egyptian Foreign Minister Ahmed Aboul Gheit, also indicated she would not be going to the troubled region immediately. She said she was primed to take the trip when it will be “helpful and necessary.”

Rice’s skepticism about trying to work out an immediate, makeshift cease-fire reflects views shared by the Israeli government in seeking fundamental changes to guard against another flare-up. These include ensuring southern Lebanon does not remain a launching pad for attacks on Israel.

‘Lemons into lemonade’
Gheit, for his part, did not qualify his support for a cease-fire. He said one was under discussion in diplomatic circles.

Speaking to reporters after the lawmakers’ meeting with the president, Sen. Joseph Biden, D-Del., said he agreed with Bush that the United States should respond to the crisis by pressuring Hezbollah, Syria and Iran.

“I think the president has an opportunity here to turn — as an old phrase goes — lemons into lemonade,” Biden said, adding that some of Lebanon’s Arab neighbors are publicly siding with the United States and Europe against Hezbollah.

“I think he’s started down that road, and I think he has a shot,” Biden said.

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