Israel Should Withdraw 'Without Delay' - Powell

Reuters ^

[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

[nothing_can_stop_us_now]

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.

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!