Posted on 04/05/2002 2:34:31 PM PST by RCW2001
| Israel should withdraw 'without delay' - Powell | |
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(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
SHUT UP POWELL!
The top U.S. military guy, in charge of stopping terrorists and those who aid them, wouldn't be in any position to tell the top Israeli military guy, in charge of stopping terrorists and those who aid them, what should or should not be done to protect its citizens.
Good.
I swear, it's like magic.
Whenever I think Dubya and the Administration are doing good, they reverse course.
There have been countless attempts at a negotiated peace and finally Isreal is doing what needs to be done. They are making a sweep and rounding up criminals, siezing arms and explosives that would have otherwise been used against them.
Lettem go! This needs to be done and frankly, I am suprised by Sharon's timid strategy in the face of everything that's happened.
Powell and Bush should warn others to STAY OUT of the conflict and then go play golf. Let this thing play itself out.
It's necessary, it's morally upright and it's long overdue. Let it go and leave it alone for heavens sake.
I would listen to Bush.
Colin Powell...in 1991 and again today...is an impediment to a true and lasting peace.
IMO.
Don't panic. Unfortunately, too many on FR see the name "Colin Powell" and they lose their heads.
Reuters. What a piece of work.
I swear, it's like magic. Whenever I think Dubya and the Administration are doing good, they reverse course.The true definition of a Centrist Republican. Which is all we have right now. Can we hope for better, sometime in the future? I don't know. Maybe the demographics just aren't there anymore. Maybe a strongly pro-US military centrist Republican --- with all the flaws that come with "centrist" --- is the best we can hope for, the most we can vote for, given our voting strength in the new, diverse America.
IT'S TIME FOR HIM TO GO!!!
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