May 24, 2013
The call to replace Yasser Arafat came as President Bush outlined a plan that could lead to an independent Palestinian state.
"Peace requires a new and different Palestinian leadership," Bush said.
He said once those new leaders are in place -- along with new security arrangements between the Palestinians and their neighbors -- the U.S. will "support the creation of a Palestinian state."
He said the state will be a "provisional" one -- until its status is resolved as part of a "final settlement in the Middle East."
Administration officials said provisional statehood could come within 18 months -- and full permanent statehood within another 18 months after that.
