COLUMBIA (US), May 9: President George W. Bush on Friday called for creating a US-Middle East free trade area in ten years, vowing to reward reform-minded Arab nations and capitalize on Saddam Hussein’s ouster.

“We have reached a moment of tremendous promise, and the United States will seize the moment for the sake of peace,” Bush said in a speech at the University of South Carolina’s graduation ceremony.

He said that his proposal would “bring the Middle East into an expanding circle of opportunity,” drain the swamps that breed extremist violence, and pave the way for creating a Palestinian state at peace with Israel by 2005.

“Now, with a liberated Iraq, with new leadership for the Palestinian people, with efforts of leaders like (Egyptian) President (Hosni) Mubarak and (Saudi) Crown Prince Abdullah, the hope of peace is renewed,” the president said.

“If the Palestinian people take concrete steps to crack down on terror, continue on a path of peace, reform and democracy, they and all the world will see the flag of Palestine raised over a free and independent nation.”—AFP