Powell meets Arab leaders as Mideast deadlock continues

By RUPERT CORNWELL

The Bush administration is mulling its dwindling range of options in the Middle East, following one of the least productive missions to the region by a US Secretary of State in modern times.

Colin Powell headed back to Washington yesterday having failed to secure either an Israeli withdrawal from West Bank or a Palestinian ceasefire, brandishing only a nebulous idea of a conference this summer to rebuild momentum towards a political settlement.

Ending his 10 days trip, Gen. Powell claimed to have detected "a vision of peace," and said Prime Minister Ariel Sharon had given him assurances that, Israeli troops would be out of the West Bank, apart from Ramallah and Bethlehem, within the next few days.

But the basic deadlock, with the Israelis insisting there could be no withdrawal before an end to terror attacks, and the Palestinians the reverse, remains.

"We could have a ceasefire today," Gen. Powell said, "But what would it mean? At the moment ceasefire is not a relevant term."

As Powell headed for Egypt to meet the Foreign Ministers of that country, Saudi Arabia and Jordan (but not an "indisposed" President Hosni Mubarak), President Bush put as brave a face as possible on the meagre results.

Gen. Powell had "made progress towards peace," the President said. But the only perceptible achievement was some reduction of tensions along Israel's northern border with Lebanon, where rocket attacks by the Syrian-backed Hizbollah guerrillas have temporarily halted.

Mr Bush reiterated that the only long-term solution is "two states, Israel and Palestine, living side by side in security and peace." But that would require hard choices by Israelis, Palestinians and their Arab neighbours.

"The Palestinian authority must act on its words of condemnation against terror. Israel must continue its withdrawals and all Arab states must step up to their responsibilities," he declared.

Egypt, Jordan and Saudi Arabia had helped in the wider war against terror, "now they must help confront terrorism in the Middle East." And in words that will delight Mr Sharon, Mr Bush insisted of the suicide bombers, "All parties must say clearly that a murderer is not a martyr – that he or she is just a murderer."

The Bush administration also hinted yesterday it might suspend future US financial aid to the Palestinians if the terror attacks continued.

The truth however is that US has rarely been less able to impose its will on events. Not only do the Palestinians remain defiant. Israel continues to ignore Mr Bush's initial demand for an immediate withdrawal, and moderate Arab states have still not unequivocally condemned Palestinian terror bombings against Israeli civilian targets.

After a second meeting with Gen. Powell at his compound in Ramallah, which Mr Sharon says Israel will continue to blockade until suspected Palestinian terrorists are handed over, Mr Arafat spoke furiously of his plight. "Is this acceptable, that I can't go outside from this door? Do you not think how this will reflect on stability and peace in the Middle East?"

The next diplomatic move by the US is unclear. Gen. Powell said he would return to the region, but gave no date. The spadework is being left to retired General Anthony Zinni, the US envoy to the region, and George Tenet, the CIA Director, with the immediate aim of rebuilding security co-operation between the two sides.

Gen Powell said both Mr Sharon and Mr Arafat had expressed interest in a conference, with the former saying it could take place at summit level in the US as early as June. Mr Sharon moreover appeared to soften his hostility to having Mr Arafat take part. But an agenda, a date and a list of participants has yet to be settled – which could generate yet more argument.

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