You have commented 339 times on Rantburg.

Your Name
Your e-mail (optional)
Website (optional)
My Original Nic        Pic-a-Nic        Sorry. Comments have been closed on this article.
Bold Italic Underline Strike Bullet Blockquote Small Big Link Squish Foto Photo
Submit your comments on this article
Middle East
Powell stops in Jordan on liesurely trip to Israel
2002-04-11
  • Secretary of State Colin Powell told Israel on Thursday that its military operations against Palestinians on the West Bank would not eliminate the threat of terror. The White House declined to criticize the pace of Israel's limited pullback.
    I'm not surprised. Are you surprised?
    Powell said frustrations will remain among the Palestinian people that could only be addressed in negotiations. Powell said he spoke with Israeli Prime Minister Ariel Sharon while in Madrid to map out the meeting they will hold in Jerusalem on Friday. Asked whether he was on an impossible mission, Powell snapped: "I don't like wallowing with pessimists. It is necessary for me to go."
    Translated from StateDepartmentese, that means he knows he's on an impossible mission but he has to go this time so that twelve missions down the road it might not be impossible.
    "I am proud to be going, I am pleased to be going ... to get the sides back on track," he said. "My mission is still on. I'm not concerned about it."
    "Just doin' m'job, ma'am."
    Powell was scheduled to arrive in Jerusalem late Thursday. On his way, the secretary of state stopped in Jordan to talk over dinner with King Abdullah II.
    Might as well have a good meal under one's belt before going to meet with Yasser... No, wait. Bad idea. Remember the shower! Eat light, Colin!
    • Posted by:Fred Pruitt

    00:00