Posted on 04/05/2002 2:34:31 PM PST by RCW2001
Israel should withdraw 'without delay' - Powell | |
(Adds details, background from paragraph 5) By Carol Giacomo WASHINGTON, April 5 (Reuters) - U.S. Secretary of State Colin Powell urged Israel on Friday to withdraw military forces from Palestinian areas "without delay" and not use the days before his trip to the region this weekend as a reason to continue incursions that have fed an explosion of violence. Against a relentless Israeli army onslaught, Powell told reporters President George W. Bush's "expectation is that the incursions will stop and a withdrawal process will begin as soon as possible or without delay -- whichever formulation you would choose." "It's not related to my trip (which begins Sunday, but should happen) as soon as possible, without delay and that's the president's expectation," Powell said after a meeting with Jordanian Foreign Minister Marwan al-Muasher. But the White House struck a more conciliatory tone with spokesman Ari Fleischer telling reporters at the presidential ranch in Crawford, Tex: "The president recognizes that in a region that's been marred by violence for decades, major events don't necessarily happen overnight." Powell was dispatched to the Middle East to revive cease-fire talks after Bush on Thursday announced a dramatic change of course in U.S. policy, after widespread criticism he was doing too little to curb an escalating regional conflict. But Fleischer said on Friday Powell may not meet Palestinian leader Yasser Arafat on the trip. When asked about this, Powell said: "Well, (U.S. envoy) General Zinni met with Chairman Arafat today, and so obviously we can get to Chairman Arafat. "Just that my itinerary is still being worked at by my staff and the places that I'm going to visit, and so I think what Ari meant to say, and I'm quite sure what he had said, because he said it yesterday as well, no plans at this time, simply because there are no plans at this time, not that there won't be plans in due course." NEW PRESSURE ON ARAFAT Although he put new pressure on Arafat to end suicide bombings against Israel, Bush in his speech called on Israel to end its weeklong military offensive into Palestinian territory and halt expansion of settlements. Under pressure from European and Arab allies and fears of a wider war, Bush used the speech to put his administration at the center of Mideast policymaking for the first time since it took office in January 2001. But the Jewish state showed no signs of complying with this directive and it was widely expected that Sharon's government would pursue its military offensive for a few days more. Muasher said his meeting with Powell was "extremely productive" and both men stressed the importance of achieving a political settlement to the conflict not just arranging a cease-fire. Powell praised Jordan's King Abdullah for his hard work on behalf of peace. Until Thursday, the Bush administration had sided with Israel in demanding an end to Palestinian violence before peace talks on a political settlement could begin. A workplan for a cease-fire drawn up by CIA director George Tenet and a blueprint for peace created under former U.S. Senator George Mitchell "are all for one purpose and that's getting to negotiations," Powell said. "The political dimension is key and we have to bring it as far forward and as early into the process as is possible," he said, adding that Bush's speech constituted a firm U.S. recommitment to a political process. The process is supposed to lead to a Palestinian state, which Bush has endorsed. Critics have faulted the administration for believing a truce was possible without offering the Palestinians the prospect of a quick end to 35 years of Israeli occupation. Muasher welcomed Bush's speech and Powell's upcoming visit and expressed hope it would launch a process that would lead the region out of the cycle of bloodshed. ((Washington newsroom, fax 202 898 8383, email Washington.bureau.newsroom@reuters.com))
05 APR 2002 22:39:34 UPDATE 1-Israel should withdraw 'without delay' - Powell
He speaks more than for himself. He speaks for this whole country. He should be charged with treason for siding with the Palesinian terrorists. He's legitamizing the suicide bombers actions. He's letting the whole Middle East world see that terrorism is O.K. He's blaming the victims of Isreal. The Palastinians aren't going to arrest the people responsible. That's why the Israeli's have there tanks everywhere. Did I mention Powell is a moron! I thought we don't negotiate with terrorists. I thought it's either "us or them." That leaves no middle room. I hope you and lots of other people are mad as hell because our "war on terrorism" is now known as the "so-called war on terrorism," or better yet. "WE ARE AT WAR WITH TERRORISTS." NOTE: OUR DEFINITION OF TERRORIST CAN CHANGE IN A NEW YORK SECOND! I want to know who in this country is giving Powell the mike. It's like our leaders have strayed off into a parallel universe where they are at a WAR WITH THEMSELVES!
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