U.S. Secretary of State Colin Powell said Thursday that terrorism must end if peacemaking between Israel and the Palestinians is to have a chance of succeeding.
"Let's be very open and candid." Powell told the Lebanese Broadcasting Corporation (LBC). "Unless terrorism and violence stops, then it's almost impossible to get going on any process toward peace."
U.S. President George W. Bush plans to unveil the road map, with its goal of creating a Palestinian state by 2005, following the confirmation of a new Palestinian cabinet, set to go to the Palestinian legislature for ratification early next week.
In a separate interview with Al-Arabiya TV, Powell notified Israel and the Palestinians that he did not want to debate terms of a peacemaking road map with them when he holds talks in the Middle East, probably early next month.
"I don't want to spend a great deal of time arguing about the details of the road map," Powell said. "I want to see both sides, in a spirit of cooperation, in a spirit of peace, with the earnest desire to move forward, to start performing."
Powell said he had been in touch with Israeli authorities and found "they are ready and anxious to participate in moving forward with [incoming Palestinian Prime Minister Mr. Abu Mazen."
Powell said he hoped Abu Mazen and Mohammed Dahlan, the designated security chief, "will work hard to end the violence, end the terrorism." That, Powell said, "will create conditions that will allow us to go forward."
As for Yasser Arafat, Powell said: "Mr. Arafat still occupies a position within the hearts and minds of the Palestinian people, and I can't remove that, and I wouldn't even try to."
But, at the same time, Powell said, "We do not believe that Mr. Arafat has shown the kind of leadership that is needed to take us through this crisis."
Meanwhile, President Bush said he would invite Abbas to the White House "one of these days, yes." "I look forward to working with him," Bush said. He indicated that longtime Palestinian leader Yasser Arafat would not be invited to accompany him to such a session. (Albawaba.com)
© 2003 Al Bawaba (www.albawaba.com)
