WASHINGTON (AP) - The White House eased back Friday from President Bush's demand that Israel begin to pull its forces out of Palestinian-held areas of the West Bank.
As Israeli tanks, attack helicopters and troops advanced against Palestinian militia, spokesman Ari Fleischer said the nations in the region needed time to digest what Bush expected of them.
"Major events don't necessarily happen overnight," Fleischer told reporters traveling with Bush in Texas. Still, he said, "the president expects results, and he expects them as soon as possible."
Secretary of State Colin Powel also did not call for an instant pullback in a news conference at the State Department. (Read photo caption within)
He said Israel should begin a withdrawal "as soon as possible or without delay."
"There are others in the region who can lead," Bush said, naming Crown Prince Abdullah of Saudi Arabia, President Hosni Mubarak of Egypt and King Abdullah II of Jordan.
Powell's short-term goal is a cease-fire to stop the bloodletting. His long-term goal is to start Israel and the Palestinians on a peacemaking track.
Both goals are elusive. Powell is on the spot, as are the two principal players in the region: Prime Minister Ariel Sharon of Israel and Arafat, leader of the Palestinian Authority.

PHOTO CAPTION:
Secretary of State Colin Powell, right, accompanied by Jordan's Foreign Minister Marwan Muasher, left, gestures while talking to reporters outside the State Department in Washington Friday, April 5, 2002 after their meeting. Powell did not call for an instant pullback of Israeli forces from Palestinian-held areas of the West Bank. He said Israel should begin a withdrawal "as soon as possible or without delay." (AP Photo/Rick Bowmer)