In a press conference today, President Bush commented on the striking victory of Hamas in the recent Palestinian elections. Referring to Hamas’s militancy, Bush declared, “I know you can’t be a partner in peace if you have a — if your party has got an armed wing.”¹

“Moreover,” the President continued, “the armed wing of the United States, known commonly as the ‘U.S. armed forces,’ disqualifies the U.S. from peace partnership as well. The U.S. can no longer be a partner in peace with this administration.”

Asked whether the U.S. might consider taking military action against the U.S., Bush replied that “all options are on the table.”

“Part of winning this war on terror is to understand the nature of the enemy and to find out where they are so we can protect the American people,” Bush explained. “Because of its militant insistence on maintaining an armed wing, we must protect the American people from the U.S. using any means necessary.”

Bush concluded: “I am prepared to call on our army, if necessary, to bring an end to the U.S. army. Only in this way can the U.S. be a partner in peace.”