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Nov. 26, 2003 Powell optimistic about road map By JPOST.COM STAFF U.S. Secretary of State Colin Powell expressed optimism about renewed movement toward peace in the Middle East in an interview released Wednesday, but said the new Palestinian government must first show it is acting against terrorism. "We should not say that the 'road map' is dead," Powell was quoted as saying in the interview, to be published in Thursday's edition of the German weekly Die Zeit. "We have not only a new Palestinian leadership but also movement on the Israeli side." Powell cited among the encouraging signs "interesting comments...

PA officials: Powell speaks to Qureia by phone, tells him Israeli-Palestinian meetings important for road map progress (AP)

Oct. 23, 2003 Sudan snubs Powell, says Hamas, Jihad 'freedom fighters' By ASSOCIATED PRESS KHARTOUM, Sudan Sudan's ruling party said Hamas and Islamic Jihad are not terror groups, but forces committed to ending Israel's occupation of Palestinian territories, according to reports published Thursday. The comments made by Ibrahim Ahmed Omar, the secretary general of the ruling National Congress Party, followed U.S. Secretary of State Colin Powell's call on Khartoum a day earlier to expel members of the groups. "Sudan's position toward Hamas and Jihad is clear: these are two Islamic forces struggling for the sake of (liberation of) their homeland,"...