U.S. Tells Europe It's Serious About Mideast Peace
Secretary of State Colin Powell (news - web sites), in Brussels to restore
dialogue with opponents of the U.S. invasion of Iraq (news - web sites), told them
the United States intended to promote the plan "as it is"
without amendments by either side, a U.S. official said.
But Powell added: "Please understand that it can't just be
issued and magical things happen, and it's not going to be just
imposed," said the senior official, who asked not to be named.
"It's going to take a heck of a lot of work to get the
sides to implement the road map but President Bush (news - web sites) has
committed to work very hard," Powell said.
The United States has promised to publish the road map as
soon as the Palestinian legislature confirms a new government
under Palestinian Prime Minister designate Mahmoud Abbas,
widely known as Abu Mazen.
U.S. officials have repeatedly said the plan will not be
open to major changes but they have not ruled out minor
modifications.
Some members of Israel's ruling Likud party oppose the
creation of a Palestinian state, a key aim of the plan, and the
Israeli government is expected to ask for numerous changes in
the road map.
The plan includes an end to violence, an end to Jewish
settlement building and other steps to pave the way for a
Palestinian state living in peace alongside Israel.
It has been in the works for almost a year but has been
repeatedly delayed, most recently by Israeli elections and then
by changes to the Palestinian system of government.
The Europeans have welcomed U.S. professions of commitment
to promoting the plan, to counteract the anger in the Arab
world about the U.S./British invasion of Iraq, but analysts say
the Bush administration's record in the Middle East suggests
some skepticism about its commitment would be wise.
The U.S. official said: "The intention is that, as soon as
Abu Mazen gets his thing confirmed, the road map will be issued
and a lot of work will begin to implement the road map."
She said that some foreign ministers asked Powell if the
road map would be open to renegotiation by the parties -- a
process that could hold up progress for months.
"Several asked. They said 'Are you sure you mean it's not
to be negotiated?' and he said it's going to be issued the way
it is, and then implementing it is a serious issue and that's
when we ask the Europeans to help us," she said.
Asked if she meant the United States wanted to see the
peace plan implemented in its current form, she said: "Yes. In
the way it is."
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