Powell Lays Out U.S. Vision for Mideast Peace

U.S. Information Agency, November 19, 2001

Secretary of State Colin Powell said the U.S. government has a vision for a peaceful, prosperous Middle East where "two states -- Israel and Palestine -- live side by side within secure and recognized borders."

In a speech on U.S. foreign policy in Louisville, Kentucky November 19, Powell said the United States is ready to help the parties achieve peace provided they are willing to make difficult choices.

The main task for the Palestinians is to stop the violence, Powell said.

"Palestinians must accept that if there is to be real peace, Israelis must be able to live their lives free from terror as well as war," Powell said.

"The lynching of Israeli soldiers in Ramallah, the assassination of the cabinet minister, and the killing of Israeli children feed Israelis' deepest doubts about whether Palestinians really want peace," Powell said.

He appealed to the Palestinian leadership to make a 100 percent effort to end violence and terror. "The Palestinian leadership must arrest, prosecute and punish the perpetrators of terrorist acts," he added.

Powell said the Palestinians need to understand that violence can not resolve their claims, however legitimate they may be.

The prime challenge for the Israelis, Powell said, is to end the occupation of the Palestinian areas in the West Bank and Gaza.

"Israel must be willing to end its occupation, consistent with the principles embodied in Security Council Resolutions 242 and 338, and accept a viable Palestinian state in which Palestinians can determine their own future on their own land and live in dignity and security," Powell said.

The secretary added that the United States opposes Israel's settlement activity in the Palestinian areas, which he said "preempts and prejudges the outcome of negotiations, and, in doing so, cripples chances for real peace and security."

Although finding a way forward will not be easy, Powell said the tools are available for rebuilding confidence and reviving the political process in the Mitchell report recommendations and the security work plan negotiated by CIA chief George Tenet.

The Mitchell recommendations, which have been endorsed by Israel, the Palestinian Authority and the international community, call for a cessation of violence, a cooling off period, confidence building measures and a resumption of political negotiations.

Powell said that steps toward peace must also include a lifting by Israel of the closures of the Palestinian areas to bring about a rapid restoration of economic hope for the Palestinians.

In the end, Powell said, it is up to the parties themselves to make peace.

"The only lasting peace will be the peace the parties make themselves. Both sides will need to face up to some plain truths about where this process is heading as they turn to the challenges of negotiating permanent-status issues," Powell said.

Powell said Assistant Secretary of State for Near Eastern Affairs William Burns will return to the region in a few days for consultations and retired Marine Corps General Anthony Zinni will begin working as a senior adviser to the secretary with the immediate mission of helping the parties achieve a durable cease-fire.

"Without that cease-fire, we are still trapped in the quicksand of hatred," Powell said.

Powell said he has heard reports that Israeli Prime Minister Ariel Sharon and Palestinian leader Yasser Arafat are prepared to cooperate on the negotiation and implementation of a cease-fire.

In addition to the Middle East issue, Powell addressed the issues of terrorism, Afghanistan, relations with Russia and trade.

He said the number one job for American leadership is fighting terrorism, and the United States will continue to battle the al-Qaida network until it is destroyed. Regarding Afghanistan, Powell said the United States will work with the international community to rebuild Afghanistan. He said he will convene an international conference in Washington November 20 on Afghan reconstruction.

Powell had special words of praise for the new U.S.-Russia relationship that is emerging based on multiple areas of cooperation, such as counter-terrorism, reducing nuclear weapons, economics and trade and strengthening Russia's connection to the Euro-Atlantic partnership.

The secretary said the United States is intent on promoting global trade through a new round of negotiations in the World Trade Organization.

"I believe that in this new century, American economic leadership has the potential to lift tens of millions of people out of poverty," Powell said.

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