Middle East

Documents & Texts from America.gov

29 January 2009
U.S. Envoy Expresses Concern for Loss of Palestinian Lives

By Merle D. Kellerhals Jr.
Staff Writer

Washington — The United States is concerned about the loss of Palestinian lives and the pressing humanitarian needs in the Gaza Strip in the aftermath of a 22-day conflict between Israeli and Hamas forces, U.S. Middle East special envoy George Mitchell says.

“I repeated those words on behalf of President Obama to [Palestinian] President [Mahmoud] Abbas,” Mitchell said after meeting with Palestinian officials in Ramallah in the West Bank territories and in Jerusalem January 29.

“It's important to consolidate a sustainable and durable cease-fire and we encourage continuing efforts in that regard.”

Mitchell, appointed special envoy on January 22, was dispatched to the region by the president and Secretary of State Hillary Clinton, and is traveling to Egypt, Israel, the West Bank, Jordan and Saudi Arabia for consultations with key Middle East leaders. He is working to consolidate gains after the Gaza cease-fire, establish an effective anti-smuggling regime to prevent Hamas from rearming, help reopen border crossings, and develop an effective response to the humanitarian needs of the Palestinians in Gaza and Gaza reconstruction.

The decision by Obama to quickly send Mitchell to the region sends a strong signal that he has made the Middle East peace process an immediate priority, Mitchell said. During his meeting with Abbas, Mitchell emphasized the critical importance of not allowing Hamas to rearm.

Israel and Hamas each agreed to a cease-fire separately. Israel and Egypt have kept their borders with Gaza closed since Hamas, a terrorist organization, seized control of the territory by force in June 2007.

“Lasting peace is our objective, and the United States will sustain an active commitment to reaching the goal of two states living side by side in peace, stability and security,” Mitchell said. “To be successful in preventing the illicit trafficking of arms into Gaza, there must be a mechanism to allow the flow of legal goods, and that should be with the participation of the Palestinian Authority.”

Mitchell has said he wants the border crossing to be reopened under the terms of a 2005 agreement that places the Palestinian Authority in control of the main Egypt-Gaza crossing at Rafah with European monitors deployed to prevent arms smuggling.

A transcript of Mitchell’s comments is available.

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