Powell says he has right to meet with Geneva Accord authors

Haaretz ^ | 03/12/2003 03:42 | Mazal Mualem

[yonif]

U.S. Secretary of State Colin Powell said on Tuesday he had a right to meet anyone with ideas on Middle East peace despite Israeli criticism it would be a mistake for him to see the authors of the non-official Geneva Accord peace initiative.

"We are not stepping back in any way from our commitment to the road map (peace plan) and we hope that circumstances and conditions will permit the resumption of progress on the road map in the near future," Powell told reporters at a news conference in Tunis.

"I do not know why I or anyone else in the U.S. government should deny ourselves the opportunity to hear from others who are committed to peace and who have ideas," he said.

"I am the American secretary of state. I have an obligation ... to listen to individuals who have interesting ideas. (This) in no way undercuts our strong support for the state of Israel," Powell declared.

Earlier Tuesday, in unusually strong language regarding its traditional ally Washington, Israel slammed Secretary of State Powell for plans to meet Yossi Beilin and Yasser Abed Rabbo, principal architects of the Geneva Accord.

Sources in Washington, speaking after the Accord was formally launched in gala ceremonies in Geneva Monday, said that Powell's office was making preparations for a meeting between the three on Friday. The two are to update Powell on the details of the peace plan.

Powell "is making a mistake," said acting prime minister Ehud Olmert, who often enunciates policy for Prime Minister Ariel Sharon. "I think that he is not being useful to the process."

"This is an incorrect step by a senior representative of the American administration," Olmert told Israel Radio. "I am certain of his friendship [toward Israel], but I would cast doubt on his judgement in this matter."

U.S. State Department spokesman Richard Boucher on Monday welcomed the Geneva Accord as one that would advance dialogue between the two sides.

Speaking on the day that the unofficial draft peace plan was launched, Boucher stressed that it was important to remember that the issues dealt with in the proposal would ultimately be decided by the governments, and said that the U.S. remained committed to the internationally-brokered road map for Middle East peace.

"We think the road map is the way to make progress. Down the road of the road map, to abuse the metaphor, we get to the point where these big issues have to be discussed. We think it's worthwhile that people are already considering them, discussing and debating them in Israeli and Palestinian society."

In letter read at the Geneva ceremoniwes, Palestinian Authority Chairman Yasser expressed support for the Accord, calling it "a brave and courageous initiative," which he said "opens the door to peace."

But in a statement later cited by rightist Israeli critics of the proposal, Arafat also called for the implementation of United Nations resolution 194, which advocates the right of Palestinians to return to lands within Israel's borders.

On Sunday, Arafat stressed that neither he nor the PLO have officially accepted the draft peace accord. Palestinian Prime Minister Ahmed Qureia also declared that the Palestinian participants represent neither the PLO nor the Palestinian government.

Arafat also condemned the barrier Israel is building to separate itself from the West Bank, calling it " a racist separation fence."

Speaking at the ceremony, former United States president Jimmy Carter said that in order for peace to descend upon the Middle East, Palestinians first had to renounce violence and Israelis had to choose between peace with its neighbors and settlements.

Carter also was critical of the Bush administration, saying that while it had been supportive of Israel, it had ignored the well-being of Palestinians. He also criticized the Israeli government for allowing the number of settlements to skyrocket.

The unofficial treaty proposes borders between Israel and a future Palestinian state close to the 1967 lines, giving the Palestinians almost all of the West Bank and Gaza Strip and part of Jerusalem. It calls for the removal of most settlements and largely sidesteps the "right of return" for Palestinians. It also divides sovereignty in Jerusalem and gives the Palestinians sovereignty over the Temple Mount.

Palestinians at the Geneva fete sought to blunt statements from Arafat that qualified his support for the effort. "My presence here sends a clear message from Arafat to the Israeli right that the only solution is two states for two peoples," Rajoub said. "You did not choose us and we did not choose you, but that is the reality. Since Rabin, there has not been a leader in Israel who is capable of taking brave decisions and who has respect for the Palestinian people."

The Israeli team was headed by Beilin and includes Labor MK Amram Mitzna, and ex-Labor ministers Amnon Lipkin-Shahak and Yuli Tamir.

Also at the ceremony were authors David Grossman, Amos Oz, and A.B. Yehoshua, and dovish former MKs Mussi Raz, Shulamit Aloni and Yael Dayan.

[yonif]

"I do not know why I or anyone else in the U.S. government should deny ourselves the opportunity to hear from others who are committed to peace and who have ideas," he said.

[Faraday]

If the State Dept. wants to maintain liaison with left-wing Israeli appeasers, it should be done at a low level. Did Powell run this past Rice, Cheney, or Bush?

[af_vet_1981]

Powell "is making a mistake," said acting prime minister Ehud Olmert, who often enunciates policy for Prime Minister Ariel Sharon. "I think that he is not being useful to the process."
"This is an incorrect step by a senior representative of the American administration," Olmert told Israel Radio. "I am certain of his friendship [toward Israel], but I would cast doubt on his judgement in this matter."

Telling it like it is ...

[DoughtyOne]

"I do not know why I or anyone else in the U.S. government should deny ourselves the opportunity to hear from others who are committed to peace blaming Israel and Jews for everything and who have ideas," he said.

Peace my arse!  Those European A.H.s won't be satisfied until all Israelis live on boats on the Med.  Powell is clueless.  Once had quite a bit of respect for him.  He took are of that.

[yonif]

They are all in the loop. This is US policy.

[yonif]

Of course. I agree. But what I am saying is that Bush knows of what Powell is doing and could tell him to stop. Bush supports the roadmap. In numerous statements he has said "occupied territories" "settlements" etc. etc, and that there must be the creation of a Palestinian state. In addition, just the other day, you had a US envoy sent by the President in Israel telling them this same crap.

[Diogenesis]

The State Dept DESPISES President Bush and the present administrations of Israel and the USA.

So to whom are the State Dept dhimmis loyal?

ANSWER BELOW

[Tolik]

I can imagine that Israeli "peace movement" is sincere in their desire to make peace and they believe that their ways are better. From my point of view they are delusional, but its irrelevant. Their sincerity is irrelevant also. What relevant is what democratic society does in the vote booth. Israeli did let themselves to be convinced in Oslo dream once. Barak was elected. Reality check brought Sharon government. Beilin, Sarid and Co lost in elections. If they want to convince Israeli society that they are right, they have this right. BUT foreign policy and negotiations with the enemy is prerogative of the government. They insist but are being ignored by the Israel's government: that is how it should be, lacking a special law in Israel prohibiting such activities. But Powell and US have no business to be involved.

[Tolik]

Let's say Nader and Buchanan who lost elections went to pre-war Iraq to negotiate with Tarik Asis (sp?), not Saddam himself, of course. What official reaction to their actions would have been?

[E Rocc]

Of course. I agree. But what I am saying is that Bush knows of what Powell is doing and could tell him to stop. Bush supports the roadmap. In numerous statements he has said "occupied territories" "settlements" etc. etc, and that there must be the creation of a Palestinian state. In addition, just the other day, you had a US envoy sent by the President in Israel telling them this same crap.

That's been the consistent policy of this administration. Ever notice that with the Israelis, Rice is the "good cop" and Powell is the "bad cop", but with the Palis their roles are reversed? The way I understand it, the Geneva accord would put about 70% of the population of the "settlements" in Israel.

By the way, both Elliott Abrams and Paul Wolfowitz are on record as being opposed to the settlement movement, and I don't believe that either's committment to the security of Israel proper can be doubted.

-Eric

[richardtavor]

I wonder if Ariel Sharon would be willing to meet with Ted Kennedy about his 'Boston Accord' treaty for Israel.

[Salem]

Ping! Thanks for the numbers.

The Arabists Among Us.



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