>Well that example is clearly interferring with the business of a separate state of course--especially since he would have been making comments in his professional capacity as President of the U.S.
>
>However, I am curious, when did President Bush 'dictate' to the Palistinian people who they SHOULD NOT vote for? Is this quoted? I must've missed it on CNN or the International version of BBC (I realize our news may at times be slanted) I guess. I know that he called for elections, but that does not preclude Arafat from running or being elected. It is my understanding that Arafat is running and will probably be reelected by the majority of the people. Where can I find the quote of President Bush saying not to vote for Arafat? I'm interested, because that would be a prime example of EXACTLY what other countries eject to when claiming the U.S. interferes too much. Of course, controlling the trade market in other countries is another example! The U.S. does that all the time to put pressure on countries to do what it wants as a global influence. Of course there is another side to that argument...

"I call on the Palestinian people to elect new leaders, leaders not compromised by terror. I call upon them to build a practising democracy, based on tolerance and liberty. If the Palestinian people actively pursue these goals, America and the world will actively support their efforts. If the Palestinian people meet these goals, they will be able to reach agreement with Israel and Egypt and Jordan on security and other arrangements for independence. And when the Palestinian people have new leaders, new institutions and new security arrangements with their neighbours, the United States of America will support the creation of a Palestinian state whose borders and certain aspects of its sovereignty will be provisional until resolved as part of a final settlement in the Middle East."

OK, not directly telling the Palestinians that they must do what he says, but saying that they'll only get American support if & when they do as he says. They know that without American support, they will not be able to oppose Israel. So while not exactly dictating to them what to do, the perception amongst the Palestinians is exactly that.

Full speech :
http://www.guardian.co.uk/israel/Story/0,2763,743503,00.html

Reaction of supposedly US favoured candidate :
http://www.guardian.co.uk/israel/comment/0,10551,747720,00.html