Powell's tongue's slip on status of Jerusalem clarified

News reports from Washington said on Wednesday that the US secretary of states Colin Powell has clarified earlier comments on Jerusalem affirming that there is no change of policy by the Bush administration on Jerusalem. State department spokesperson Boutcher stressed that the final status of the city of Jerusalem should be decided in the negotiations between Israel and the Palestinian Authority.

Meantime, Washington-Secretary of State Colin Powell clarified remarks his made to Congress regarding Jerusalem during his first meeting with Arab American leaders on Tuesday, March 13. The Secretary went on to reassure the delegation that U.S. policy regarding Jerusalem’s status has not changed under the Bush Administration and that a resolution of this issue was up to Palestinians and Israelis. Arab Americans went on to note that the land Israel has designated for the U.S. embassy in Jerusalem belongs to Palestinians, many of whom are U.S. citizens. Secretary Powell indicated that he was aware of Palestinian ownership claims to the site, a statement from the AAI said.

In recent weeks, the State Department has publicly admitted that it is reviewing Israel’s use of U.S. made weapons against Palestinians based on a request the Department received from AAI. (The review will determine if Israel is in compliance with the U.S. Arms Export Control Act. That act prohibits the use of U.S. made weapons for anything other than defensive purposes.) AAI President Dr. James Zogby urged the Secretary to complete this investigation, issue its findings and suspend shipments of U.S. made weapons if Israel is found to be in violation of the act, the AAI statement added.

Meantime, the statement said "The group also discussed the current situation in Palestine with the Secretary and encouraged the Administration to pressure Israel to end the economic and physical siege of Palestinians. They requested that the United States offer emergency medical assistance to Palestinians in light of the humanitarian crisis created by the thousands of wounded. The Arab American delegates also noted Israel’s continued refusal to acknowledge the rights of U.S. citizens of Arab descent and asked that the State Department intervene to protect the rights of Americans who travel to the area."