General Powell immediately upon his arrival found himself beset by rancorous complaints from both sides. Each side blamed the other for violence that has seen 400 people killed in the past five months. Instead of patting each leader on the back and engaging in the usual Foggy Bottom condescension, Powell candidly laid blame for violence on the doorsteps of both sides. He told Israel it should ease its sanctions which have sealed off 3 million Palestinians and brought on immense economic hardships. While Israelis leaders were taken aback by Powell's admonition that both sides were to blame for the violence, he at the same time pledged U.S. support to protect Israel and its right to exist.
History suggests the futility of such efforts.
That would appear to be an essential first step toward peace in the Middle East. Return to the News-Argus Front Page.