    [Public Papers of the Presidents of the United States: George W. Bush (2002, Book I)]
    [May 10, 2002]
    [Page 779]
    [From the U.S. Government Publishing Office www.gpo.gov]

    Statement on the End of the Standoff at the Church of the Nativity in
    Bethlehem
    May 10, 2002

        I am pleased by the nonviolent end to the standoff at the Church of
    the Nativity in Bethlehem. Like the resolution to the situation in
    Ramallah, the positive result in Bethlehem was achieved through the
    efforts of a number of individuals and governments. In particular, I
    appreciate the efforts of personnel at our Embassy in Tel Aviv and our
    Consulate General in Jerusalem, which were critical to the outcome, and
    the work of the European Union.
        The end of the standoff in Bethlehem is a positive development that
    removes an obstacle to restoring security cooperation between the
    parties and should advance the prospects for resuming a political
    process toward peace. As I said on April 4th, this can only happen if
    all parties assume their responsibilities for fighting terror and
    promoting peace.