Seasoned Negotiator to Serve as a Mideast Envoy

[ProgressiveMuslim]

By MARK LANDLER
WASHINGTON — President Obama moved swiftly to engage on the Middle East on Wednesday, calling Israeli and Arab leaders on his first morning in office and preparing to appoint a seasoned peace negotiator and former senator, George J. Mitchell, as his special emissary to the region.

Mr. Obama did not announce any new initiatives, though he promised deeper American involvement in the Israeli-Palestinian conflict than was evident during the Bush administration, which steered clear of the peace effort in its early days.

In calls to leaders in Egypt, Jordan and Israel, and the president of the Palestinian Authority, Mr. Obama said he would work to solidify the cease-fire in Gaza and pledged “his commitment to active engagement in pursuit of Arab-Israeli peace from the beginning of his term,” said his spokesman, Robert Gibbs.

The American effort will include help for Israel in stemming the smuggling of arms to Hamas militants, as well as aid for the Palestinian Authority in rebuilding Gaza, Mr. Obama said.

Also on Wednesday, the Senate confirmed Hillary Rodham Clinton as secretary of state, by a vote of 94 to 2, a day later than scheduled because of lingering objections by some Republicans. Only two senators, David Vitter of Louisiana and Jim DeMint of South Carolina, voted against her.


Mr. Mitchell’s appointment, which could be announced as soon as Thursday, underscores the central role that the Middle East has assumed in the Obama administration.

A former Senate majority leader who helped broker a peace deal in Northern Ireland, Mr. Mitchell also led a commission searching for ways to stop violence between Israelis and Palestinians.

He is viewed as a diplomatic heavyweight who may bring more balance to Washington’s relationships in the region.


http://www.nytimes.com/2009/01/22/us/politics/22diplo.html?_r=1&ref=middleeast&pagewanted=print

[cali]

1. This actually gives me some small modicum of hope

that our unbalanced approach over I/P might change- at least a little.

Good choice

[ProgressiveMuslim]

3. At last -- something we can all agree upon!

I am overjoyed by the appointment of someone who is simply NEUTRAL!

[LeftishBrit]

2. Excellent news IMO

As I said in another thread, I'm a great admirer of Mitchell, because of his helpful contribution to the Northern Ireland peace agreement. Let's hope he can make a similar contribution in the Middle East!

[bemildred]

4. Erekat calls for US action regarding Israeli aggression

GAZA, Jan 22 (KUNA) -- Palestinian Authority Chief Negotiator Saeb Erekat on Thursday called on the new US Administration to jumpstart immediate efforts aimed at an Israeli ceasefire. Erekat called on the US Administration to hastily facilitate an Israeli withdrawal from all occupied Arab lands by Israel since 1967, and for the establishment of a sovereign Palestinian state with East Jerusalem as its capital.

He also called on Washington to solve the final stage issues of the peace process, in particular the issue of refugees, based upon legitimate international resolutions in regard.

"The continuation of Israeli occupation, (Israel's) settlement policies, the separation wall, aggression, the siege, closure and the imposition of facts on the ground result in the expansion of the width of violence, chaos, extremism and bloodshed," said Erekat.

He also stressed that "the aims of the peace process are precise and explicit through legitimate international resolutions, the road map and the Arab peace initiative which call for the halt of the Israeli occupation which started in 1967." On the internal Palestinian state of affairs, Erekat said, "The priority is for (Palestinian Authority) President Mahmoud Abbas, particularly in achieving Palestinian national reconciliation under the sponsorship of Egypt and aimed at forming a national conciliation Palestinian government." (end) zt.sd KUNA 221622 Jan 09NNNN

http://www.kuna.net.kw/NewsAgenciesPublicSite/ArticleDetails.aspx?id=1970585&Language=en

[bemildred]

5. Abbas aide: Hamas obstructing efforts to reconcile with Fatah

Ramallah - A top aide of Palestinian President Mahmoud Abbas accused Hamas Thursday of 'obstructing' efforts to reconcile the warring Palestinian political factions, by raising 'new conditions.'

Yasser Abed Rabbo said Abbas' secular Fatah movement was willing to form a national unity government with Hamas.

But the radical Islamist movement was raising new conditions because it was not interested in reconciliation and was instead working to consolidate its hold over the Gaza Strip, he said.

He accused Hamas of killing, arresting and torturing Fatah fighters in Gaza.

http://www.monstersandcritics.com/news/middleeast/news/article_1455107.php/Abbas_aide_Hamas_obstructing_efforts_to_reconcile_with_Fatah_

[ProgressiveMuslim]

6. Now that Abbas' term has expired, and he is dead in the water... SUDDENLY

Fatah wants a unity gov't? LOL~

[bemildred]

7. I'm just watching the rhetoric.

But yeah, if only this had been on the table a year or two ago.

I do think Obama will prop up the PNA and try to get Fatah and Hamas to put aside their differences, he needs a legitimate Palestinian voice to force the Israelis to make peace with. But that's just speculation.

[ProgressiveMuslim]

10. I agree, and I think there are many voices that Hamas would agree to have

speak on behalf of the Palestinian people. I don't think Abbas is that guy.

The real question will be: Presidential elections are overdue. Israel will be going to the polls. Will Palesetinians be allowed to vote ever again?

[bemildred]

12. That's an interesting question.

If you really want the job done right, that would be the first step, new elections (on both sides, but Israel is already doing that, it doesn't need permission).

[ProgressiveMuslim]

13. And an interesting test for our new president. Personally, I think there would

have to be much behind-the-scenes work done to ensure that US-approved candidates were elected.

[bemildred]

15. Boy, can I call them or what:

---

But many Middle East experts are eager to hear whether the Obama administration will try to create a credible, unified Palestinian government that could negotiate and enforce a state-to-state relationship with Israel, the essence of the so-called two-state solution that has dominated peace negotiations.

http://www.democraticunderground.com/discuss/duboard.php?az=view_all&address=124x252267

On your other issue, he can't really do that if he wants to create a legitimate Palestinian political agent. The elections have to be fairly honest or the result will not be accepted. I'm pretty sure he knows that, but only his actions can make it clear.

[bemildred]

16. Some other interesting bits in that piece:

---

“Hamas feels it has come out unbroken and popular among Palestinians and Arabs,” said Khalil Shikaki, a Palestinian analyst and pollster. “French statements also embolden it. Hamas won’t accept a government led by Fayyad and would want to lead it,” a prospect, he added, that Mr. Abbas “would find hard to accept.” Part of the deal would be early elections in the next six months, he said.

---

Mr. Abbas has proposed early elections for his office and the legislature, which Hamas won in free elections in 2006. But he also wants to change the electoral rules to benefit Fatah, making the election a straight vote for parties and removing the constituency voting for individual candidates that so benefited Hamas last time.

Hamas rejects the changes and elections for legislators before their four-year terms expire a year from now. Yet if Hamas did accept early elections as part of a negotiated national government or accord, it could win the presidency, said Zakariya al-Qaq, a political scientist at Al Quds University in Jerusalem, for Mr. Abbas is considered a spent force.

---

Yossi Alpher, the Israeli co-director of www.bitterlemons.org, a Web site that promotes Israeli-Palestinian dialogue online, said that if there were a unity government, there would probably be new elections. “Given Hamas’s political gains and Abu Mazen’s losses, Hamas could win them, and then they’d end up running not just Gaza but the West Bank, too, at least politically,” he said.

[ProgressiveMuslim]

24. It will be interesting to see how Hamas responds to the suggestion of

early elections. I know they had eschewed the idea, viewing it as a semi-coup. I wonder if their newfound popularity will change their view?

[bemildred]

25. Yes, it will.

Everyone (not just Hamas) is making assertive noises, but I think there is still a lot of feeling out and assessment going on, and Mr Obama has not weighed in as to what he thinks should be done.

[Douglas Carpenter]

8. Sen. Mitchell would be the best choice of those who would actually have credibility on all sides.

I think former Sen. Mitchell would be the best choice of those who would actually have credibility on all sides.

When I read the May 20, 2001 Mitchell Commission Report which examined the causes of the second intifada in the Occupied Palestinian Territories, I cannot say that I am in complete agreement.

http://www.mideastweb.org/mitchell_report.htm

However, I do see a sincere effort to act in a balanced manner and to pursue honest fact finding and to establish findings and make recommendations dispassionately and reasonably.

There may be someone who would be better at this than former Sen. Mitchell. But I cannot think of anyone who would hold more credibility on all sides and who would act in a more balanced manner.

[Howardx]

9. abe foxman is concerned

that mitchell may be too "fair"

[ProgressiveMuslim]

11. The "concern" of those lobbyists is proof positive that this was a terrific appointment.

Isn't that interesting?

All the Palestinian supporters want is someone who is fair. Not Arab. Not Muslim. Not Pro-Palestinian. Just fair.

What a concept!

[oberliner]

14. He is an Arab

He is noted here on the Arab American Institute's web site under "Famous Arab Americans"

http://www.aaiusa.org/arab-americans/23/famous-arab-americans

Your comment seemed to imply that he was not an Arab.

[Howardx]

17. he's american

period. the fact that foxman would dare complain that someone was going to be fair in their i/p dealings is very telling.

[oberliner]

18. He is an Arab American

The post I was responding to included the following: "All the Palestinian supporters want is someone who is fair. Not Arab. Not Muslim. Not Pro-Palestinian."

This seems to suggest that Mitchell is not Arab, when, in fact, he is identified as a prominent Arab American.

[Howardx]

20. i read it as

the palestinians werent asking for one of their own to be the envoy, they just wanted fairness. you brought up the fact that mitchell is an "arab american" for your own purposes i suspect.

[oberliner]

22. Diversity is absolutely essential

I think it is very important to have people from a variety of different backgrounds represented in government, especially when it comes to foreign policy.

Arab Americans have, unfortunately, been grossly underrepresented, so Mitchell's appointment is refreshing in that regard.

I also think that he is probably one of the fairest people Obama could have selected.

Kudos to Obama for the choice!

[ProgressiveMuslim]

21. We'll see how that plays out.

I've known of him for decades, and never knew of his ancestry.

He certainly doesn't proclaim it.

Nonetheless, pro-Pals never demanded an Arab... just someone who is fair.

What do you personally think of the appointment?

[oberliner]

23. I'm very pleased with the appointment

Great choice by Obama!

[The Magistrate]

19. This Is An Excellent Appointment, Ma'am