Mitchell as US Mideast envoy revitalizes peace process - experts

[oberliner]

WASHINGTON (AFP) — The choice of former US senator George Mitchell as special envoy to the Middle East shows that President Barack Obama is serious about changing the direction of US policy in the Middle East, experts say.

Several names were floated over the past weeks as possible special envoys to the region, including those of Dennis Ross, former president Bill Clinton's envoy to the region, and former US ambassador to Cairo Daniel Kurtzer.

The choice of Mitchell "indicates to me that Obama did get the message that both of those names ... were received with dismay in the Arab Middle East," said Marina Ottaway, with the Carnegie Endowment for International Peace.

Obama "has already taken a very significant position by putting Mitchell in that position" instead of Ross or Kurtzer, Ottaway said.

This even though "there was clearly a lot of lobbying going on" from the powerful pro-Israel lobby in Washington to appoint either of them, she said.

http://www.google.com/hostednews/afp/article/ALeqM5jpB4-YmyeqVOCWgLC72qpfqtvtvw

[Parche]

1. already Obama has done more then bush did in 8years

now we need a true Palestine Country
and peace

:hi:

[oberliner]

3. Agreed

I wish he and Mitchell all the best in their endeavors.

[Duckhunter935]

2. I wish him all the luck he can use

Its a mess and anything is better than what * did

[Douglas Carpenter]

4. I am encouraged by the selection of George Mitchell

Not only in Northern Ireland, but also in heading up a commission in 2001 to investigate the causes of the second intifada, he has shown himself to be a fair minded soul.

I do wonder how this will play out if Likud led by Bibi Netanyahu wins February 10th elections - which polls indicates to be more than likely the case.

[oberliner]

6. Where will Likud look to form a coalition?

Assuming they win with something like 30 seats or so - they will need to find at least 31 more seats to get a bare majority - most likely they will want more than that.

Even adding Shas and Beteinu would not get them to 61 assuming current polling trends hold.

He has signalled that he may look to Labor which would be very interesting indeed.

[Douglas Carpenter]

7. this is the article I read today that concerns me

"However Livni's ruling Kadima party may suffer a setback in the upcoming elections, with weekend polls giving the centrist party 24-25 seats, against 29 in the current parliament.

Netanyahu's hawkish Likud party is tipped to head the next government in a right-wing coalition including the ultra-nationalist Yisrael Beitenu party, which has advocated the expulsion of Arab citizens.

In coalition with Jewish religious parties and Yisrael Beitenu, a Likud-led bloc would secure a majority of 62-63 seats, Friday's polls said."

http://www.google.com/hostednews/afp/article/ALeqM5g1ducHrywPiOO6svu1qYFsiefACQ

However, it is entirely possible that he could take a different route and invite Labor into the coalitions - for the sake of respectability and greater legitimacy.

The article above went on to say:

"No one wants to fall out with the new US president and spin doctors have tried to put a gloss on Netanyahu's past record.

The Likud chairman has said he will have no problem with Barack Obama's administration, which favours a two-state solution with security guarantees for Israel.

But Netanyahu has remained vague on the peace process saying he supports broad autonomy for the Palestinians and strengthening the West Bank economy, yet he opposes the creation of a state with real sovereign powers. "

http://www.google.com/hostednews/afp/article/ALeqM5g1ducHrywPiOO6svu1qYFsiefACQ

.

[oberliner]

8. It will be a weak coalition - if they make it

I think he'd be wise to reach out to Labor.

And of course, anything could happen in these last 3 weeks.

I'm hoping that Kadima makes a last minute push.

[Fozzledick]

5. Definitely the best man for the job!

Not just on policy and knowledge, but more importantly he has long term personal relationships with many of the major government players in the area and has earned their respect and confidence.

This sends a clear message that the U.S. is ready to resume it's role as a fair broker, and tells me that Obama really knows what he's doing.