Israeli leaders told US Secretary of State Colin Powell on Monday that they would do their "utmost" to let Palestinians hold presidential elections, including easing travel restrictions in the West Bank and Gaza Strip.
Powell conveyed to Israeli Prime Minister Ariel Sharon and his Foreign Minister Silvan Shalom that Washington wants to take advantage of opportunities in the Middle East created by the death of Yasser Arafat.
Later Monday, Powell held talks with Palestinian leaders in the West Bank town of Jericho, and was to visit a voter registration office there.
According to The AP, Shalom stated after his meeting with Powell that it is in his country's interest that the Palestinian elections go foward.
"The first priority is the Palestinian election which will hopefully bring about a Palestinian leadership with whom we can sit down and address all the issues on our agenda," he said.
"I have reassured the secretary today that Israel will do everything in its power to ensure their smooth running," he noted. He said Israel would coordinate the arrangements with the Palestinians, but "would not compromise on security."
Powell said Monday that the United States will do what it can to ensure peaceful elections. Powell reiterated that the Palestinians must rein in armed groups. "Violence must be ended," he said.
Powell, meanwhile, said Israel and the Palestinians must nenew their commitments in the U.S.-backed "road map" peace plan. "All sides must be prepared to meet their obligations under the road map," he said.
Powell arrived Sunday night in Israel.
On his way to the region, he said he would urge both Israelis and Palestinians to take steps that will facilitate the Palestinian elections on January 9. "This is a moment of opportunity... The big step ahead of us now is to assist the Palestinian people getting ready for the election," he told reporters aboard his plane.
"In my conversations with both sides, I'll be encouraging them to do everything they can to make sure this election comes off and that the maximum number of Palestinians get the opportunity to participate.
"Perhaps the things that we do or that they do will encourage a degree of cooperation that can spread into other areas," said Powell.
Palestinian sources assess the Monday meetings mark the renewal of contacts with Washington after Arafat's death and ahead of a visit by Secretary of State-designate Condoleezza Rice in a few weeks. (albawaba.com)
