Yehuda, you nailed it!
Posted on 01/09/2006 11:20:02 AM PST by SJackson
In a step toward resuming U.S. peacemaking efforts in the Mideast, Secretary of State Condoleezza Rice will send two senior envoys to the region on Tuesday even amid uncertainty about stricken Israeli Prime Minister Ariel Sharon.
Assistant Secretary of State David Welch and Elliott Abrams of President Bush's national security council staff, will look into arrangements for a Palestinian election Jan. 25 among other issues on the Mideast agenda.
They were to have met last week with Sharon's top advisers, but Welch and Abrams postponed their trip after the prime minister suffered a second, and devastating, stroke.
Rice notified Mahmoud Abbas, the Palestinian leader, in a telephone conversation Sunday that the plan was back on track, State Department spokesman Sean McCormack said Monday.
The Israeli government, meanwhile, took a conciliatory step by permitting Palestinian politicians to campaign in Jerusalem, reversing a ban imposed out of concern that Hamas, the Palestinian group that has killed hundreds of Israelis in terror attacks, would be participating.
Hamas is expected to make a strong showing in the election, and has not been disarmed by Abbas and the Palestinian Authority despite repeated appeals by Israel and the Bush administration.
McCormack reiterated the State Department's view that the issue of voting in Jerusalem, where the Palestinians hope to establish a capital, can be resolved as it has been in the past.
Last week, with violence on the upsurge in Gaza, which Sharon turned over to the Palestinians, Rice sent Maj. Gen. Keith Dayton, the U.S. security coordinator, back to the region to try to stabilize the area.
Still, the Bush administration is saying little publicly about how it intends to fan flickering Mideast peace hopes if Sharon remains incapacitated.
McCormack reiterated the State Department's view that the issue of voting in Jerusalem, where the Palestinians hope to establish a capital, can be resolved as it has been in the past.
Correct me if I'm mistaken, but wasn't the "resolution" in 1996 easing border restrictions so palestinians eligible to vote could travel easily to the West Bank and vote?
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Big friggin' deal BUMP!
That would seem to be the idea. Who said
It is important for the United States to support and honor Israel, the only true democracy in the Middle East. We will ensure that Israel maintains a qualitative edge in defensive technology over any potential adversaries. We will not pick sides in Israeli elections. The United States has a moral and legal obligation to maintain its Embassy and Ambassador in Jerusalem. Immediately upon taking office, the next Republican president will begin the process of moving the U.S. Embassy from Tel Aviv to Israel's capital, Jerusalem.
Start pressuring Olmert early and often.
The unmitigated contempt for Israel by the Bush Administration. Even as the PM lies stricken.
Viva la Rice!
Postpone the elections until after Israeli elections.
This is contemptible with PM Sharon recently disabled and at risk for his life. He opposed this.
The Bush administration complained about Pat Robertson's words, look at their deeds while they speak ever so nicely.
The palestinian elections? Fatah v Hamas, a terrorist state. Who cares. Israel needs to proceed to unilaterally separate themselves from the palestinians and forget about the US. Hopefully they'll elect a PM to accomplish that. Why the US is determined to establish a recognized terrorist state at all costs is beyond me.
"Why the US is determined to establish a recognized terrorist state at all costs is beyond me."
Because Gaza is going so beautifully.
She really is a Jew-hating jerk, hence the Savage nickname Condoleeza Reich.
Powell in a dress.
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