| Submit your comments on this article |
| Israel-Palestine-Jordan |
| US Envoy Mitchell: Open Borders Will Prevent Smuggling |
| 2009-02-01 |
| (IsraelNN.com) Following a meeting with Palestinian Authority Chairman Mahmoud Abbas in Ramallah on Thursday, newly-appointed American Middle East envoy George Mitchell called for open crossings into Gaza and greater Fatah involvement there. Talking to reporters after his discussions with Fatah leader Abbas and other PA officials, Mitchell said, "To be successful in preventing the illicit traffic of arms into Gaza, there must be a mechanism to allow the flow of legal goods. And that should be with the participation of the [Fatah-controlled] Palestinian Authority Fatah is the faction currently heading the Judea and Samaria half of the Authority, while the more jihadist Hamas controls the Gaza half of the PA. Hamas initially took legislative power in a landslide in PA-wide elections, and later carried out a successful coup in Gaza in order to obtain absolute control there. The U.S. envoy further called for "a sustainable and durable ceasefire" between Hamas and Israel. Mitchell added that he had expressed to Abbas President Barack Obama's "deep concern over the killing of the Palestinians and the humanitarian situation in Gaza." The President is also committed to a Palestinian State and "lasting peace", according to Mitchell. While Abbas did not address the media following his meeting with Mitchell, senior PA representative Saeb Erekat told journalists that the PA chairman discussed "humanitarian aid to Gaza, the importance of the truce, opening the crossings and lifting the blockade of Gaza." Abbas also claimed that "continued construction of Israeli settlements, creating facts on the ground... and construction of the wall are an attempt to separate the West Bank from the Gaza Strip," according to Erekat. He added that Israel's Operation Cast Lead in Gaza harmed the chances for peace in the region. Touching on another matter, Erekat said that Abbas told Mitchell of his eagerness to form a unified regime with Hamas. Due to the American boycott of Hamas, which it officially recognizes as a terrorist entity, Mitchell is not going to visit Gaza during his current Middle Eastern tour. Mitchell met with Prime Minister Ehud Olmert, Foreign Minister Tzipi Livni and Defense Minister Ehud Barak on Wednesday, after meetings in Egypt. He also met with IDF Chief of Staff Gabi Ashkenazi. On Friday, Mitchell is scheduled to meet with Knesset opposition leader Binyamin Netanyahu. |
| Posted by:Besoeker |
| #8 Nuclear arms in the Middle East Israel is attacking the Iraqis The Syrians are mad at the Lebanese And Baghdad does whatever she please Looks like another threat to world peace For the envoy ... |
| Posted by: Glolurong Hitler4451 2009-02-01 20:46 |
| #7 The problem has been around for decades; a long-running domestic dispute in the world's trailer park. The U.S. is supposed to 'do something about it', according to the rest of the neighborhood. So you send a beat-cop, preferably someone everyone recognizes. Officer Mitchell goes in, talks, gets an agreement, and goes back to the donut shop until the crap starts flying again. If you look at it from the standpoint that it's a long-running farce, it's much easier to deal with. |
| Posted by: Pappy 2009-02-01 16:21 |
| #6 OP---in the US good people do not go into politics because a good person is not willing to put up with the sh*t and personal attacks on him/herself and the family. Who in their right mind wants to subject themselves to that. Also having to pay $2 mil+ for a $200K job does not make sense, unless you are into baksheesh and related corruption. |
| Posted by: Alaska Paul 2009-02-01 15:36 |
| #5 The very first word that came to mind when I read the headline was "retarded". He is either retarded or is willfully ignoring reality to further his own goals or those of his boss(es). |
| Posted by: tipover 2009-02-01 14:55 |
| #4 He's right of course: let Hamas bring in guns, ammo and rockets openly and there won't be any need for smuggling. Cheez ... |
| Posted by: Steve White 2009-02-01 14:43 |
| #3 How is it that the United States, with the most developed education system in the world, cannot come up with a politician with more brains than a rock? George Mitchell, the person who sent him on this idiotic mission (Hillary Clinton), and the person that actually gave Hillary a JOB (Barack Obama) ALL flunk the smell test. God help us over the next four years! |
| Posted by: Old Patriot 2009-02-01 14:21 |
| #2 Sending more "US Envoys" to the Middle East and expecting different results clearly fits the definition of insanity. |
| Posted by: Besoeker 2009-02-01 13:51 |
| #1 George Mitchell remains a tool. |
| Posted by: rwv 2009-02-01 13:43 |