Powell endorses Mitchell Report on Mideast Violence, recommends steps to resume peace effort
Palestine-USA, Politics, 5/22/2001

U.S. Secretary of State Colin Powell said that the U.S. has endorsed the recommendations of the Sharm el Sheikh Fact-Finding Committee on ending violence between Israelis and Palestinians and resuming peace negotiations.

"The United States believes the committee has provided the parties with ideas that can help to find a solution to the terrible tragedy that has trapped the Israeli and Palestinian peoples in a continuing downward spiral of violence for the past eight months, a spiral that has gotten worse in the last few days," Powell said in Washington May 21.

The committee, headed by former U.S. Senator George Mitchell, was formed last year at the request of Palestinians and Israelis to investigate the causes of the latest violence between the two sides.

Powell called on Israelis and Palestinians to address the committee's primary recommendations by reaffirming their commitment to existing agreements and undertakings, immediately and unconditionally ceasing violence and resuming security cooperation. He also said that both sides "must avoid unilateral acts that prejudice the outcome of permanent status negotiations and that could be perceived by the other side as provocative during this very delicate time."

Powell noted the committee's reference to "the need for the Palestinians to make an all-out effort to enforce a complete cessation of violence."

In regard to confidence-builidng measures, Powell noted the committee's view that continued Israeli settlement activity has "a negative impact" on prospects for peace.

"As you know, Senator Mitchell and the other Committee members put the settlement issue in the context of confidence building measures. It is not linked in any way to his earlier call for an immediate cessation of hostilities. The settlement issue has to be dealt with at the end of the day, however, as part of the confidence building measures between the two sides," Powell said.

Powell said he is instructing U.S. Ambassador to Israel Martin Indyk and U.S. Consul General in Jerusalem Ron Schliecher to begin working immediately with the parties on implementing the report's recommendations. Powell also said that Assistant Secretary-designate for Near Eastern Affairs William Burns, the current U.S. ambassador to Jordan, will report directly to Powell and President Bush in this regard and will be tasked with overseeing a time line for confidence building measures leading to the resumption of negotiations.

Previous Stories:
  Arab- American organization and the Israeli raids   (5/21/2001)
  Powell to meet with Arafat   (5/17/2001)
  US condemns Israeli attempts to storm West Bank towns   (5/9/2001)

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