US 'wants to take advantage of mideast opportunities'
Outgoing US Secretary of State Colin Powell told Israel’s prime minister today that the United States wanted to take advantage of new opportunities in the Middle East, and that it supported Palestinian elections set for January 9.
Powell spoke at the start of a meeting with Prime Minister Ariel Sharon. He is to hold talks with top Palestinian officials later today in the West Bank town of Jericho.
The Palestinians have said they want the United States to exert pressure on Israel to withdraw troops from West Bank population centres ahead of the elections in which a Palestinian Authority president will be chosen.
Arafat, who also headed the PLO and the ruling Fatah party, died on November 11.
Powell said today that the United States would do what it could to ensure peaceful elections.
Without referring to Arafat by name, Powell said: “This is a moment of opportunity. We look forward to the Palestinian elections that will be held on January 9.”
Powell reiterated that the Palestinians must rein in militants. “Violence must be ended,” he said.
“All sides must be prepared to meet their obligations under the road map,” he added, referring to the US-backed peace plan. The road map requires Israel to freeze settlements in the first phase, and asks the Palestinians to dismantle militant groups.
The plan was launched in June 2003, but neither side has fulfilled its initial obligations.
