Bush puts pressure on Arafat to clamp down on violence

George Bush says Yasser Arafat has to do a better job of curbing violence against Israel.

Mr Bush says he understands the Palestinian leader does not have influence with every single suicide bomber.

But he stressed: "We expect him to be diligent and firm and consistent in his efforts to rein in those who would like to disrupt any progress toward peace, and rein in those who would harm our friends, the Israelis.

"I know there are some people who do not want us to achieve any kind of peaceful settlement of a long-standing dispute, and they're willing to use terrorist means to disrupt any progress that's being made. And that frustrates me.

"It frustrates mothers and dads who happen to be Palestinian or Israeli because they want to raise their children in a secure environment."

Expressing hope for a political settlement, Bush said, "But first and foremost, we've got to come up with a security agreement."

He spoke after a bus attack by a bomber who blew himself up and killed seven other passengers, including four Israeli soldiers, near the northern Israel town of Afula.

Before leaving on a four-day Latin America trip, Bush was being briefed by Vice President Dick Cheney, who returned yesterday from an 11-nation tour of the Middle East.

Mr Cheney may return to the region next week for a meeting in Egypt with Mr Arafat, perhaps as early as Monday. President Bush says the decision on Mr Cheney's return hinges on the recommendation of US mediator Anthony Zinni.

A meeting with Mr Cheney could clear the way for the Palestinian leader to attend an Arab League conference in Beirut next week.