Bush Maps Middle East Plans.

By Tom Baxter, The Atlanta Journal-Constitution Knight Ridder/Tribune Business News

May 10--COLUMBIA, S.C.--Declaring it a "great goal for this nation," President Bush on Friday laid out an ambitious agenda for U.S. involvement in the Middle East.

Speaking at commencement ceremonies at the University of South Carolina, the president proposed establishing a U.S.-Middle East free trade area within a decade, as well as other programs aimed at "replacing corruption and self-dealing with free markets and fair laws."

"We will use our influence and idealism to replace old hatreds with new hopes across the Middle East," Bush said.

His speech …