Good news. Looks like Powell was indeed muzzled...his speech was the Michell Report recycled, not a new peace plan. He didn't even stress giving up the week's cease-fire.
I think the petition signed by 89 Senators asking the President to give Israel the green light to fight terror was very important in achieving this result. 89 Senators in effect represent the will of the Congress; no President can afford to ignore that.
Powell: US to Push for Mideast Deal
_____Special Report_____
By Eun-Kyung Kim
Associated Press Writer
Monday, November 19, 2001; 11:32 AM
LOUISVILLE, Ky. –– Secretary of State Colin Powell said Monday the United States will push and prod Israelis and Palestinians to reach peace and called on both sides to face up to the truth about what they must do to end tensions and live as neighbors.
Powell urged Palestinian leaders to "arrest, prosecute and punish the perpetrators of terrorist acts."
"The Palestinian leadership must make a 100 percent effort to end violence and terror," he said. "There must be real results, not just words and declarations."
Israelis must do their part, Powell said in a speech at the University of Louisville. Too many Palestinians have grown up "with checkpoints, raids and indignities," he said.
Powell said the American leadership will play a big role.
"We have a vision of a region where two states, Israel and Palestine, live side by side within secure and recognized borders," he said.
...
Discussing his address Sunday, Powell said the United States is not putting forward any new plan for peace between Israelis and Palestinians. "We have a plan. It's a solid plan. It's called the Mitchell committee report," he said on "Fox News Sunday." He referred to a proposal by former Senate Majority Leader George Mitchell and others that calls for a cooling-off period free of violence, followed by confidence-building measures before any settlement talks could begin.
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