12 April 2002
Powell Says Middle East Situation is "Exceptionally Dangerous"
(Expresses "deep regrets" over April 12 terrorist attack in Jerusalem)
(330)
Secretary of State Colin Powell expressed "deep regrets" over the
terrorist attack at a Jerusalem market April 12.
Speaking in Safed, Israel, Powell said the incident "illustrates the
exceptionally dangerous situation that exists here and the need for
all of us, everyone, the international community, to exert every
effort we can to find a solution."
The secretary also said that he had a "sobering briefing" on the
situation at the Israeli-Lebanese border. He urged Syria and other
countries with influence over Hezbollah to restrain the organization
before its activities produce "consequences that are devastating to
consider for the whole region."
Following is a transcript of Secretary Powell's remarks in Safed,
Israel:
(begin transcript)
Remarks in Safed
Secretary Colin L. Powell
Safed, Israel
April 12, 2002
I just spoke to Prime Minister Sharon a moment ago and expressed my
deep regrets over the incidents that took place in Jerusalem this
afternoon and I condemned the terrorists for this act. It illustrates
the exceptionally dangerous situation that exists here and the need
for all of us, everyone, the international community, to exert every
effort we can to find a solution.
I also had a sobering briefing here today at the Northern Command with
respect to the dangers on the other side of the border, with this fire
that's coming into northern Israel. It's escalating, and as you know,
a round landed during the course of the briefing, and I condemn that.
I call upon nations who have influence over Hezbollah, especially
Syria, to do everything in its power to restrain Hezbollah and to stop
this kind of activity before it widens the conflict in the region with
consequences that are devastating to consider for the whole region. So
I hope that the leaders in this part of the world who have influence
over Hezbollah will do everything to get this activity to stop.
(end transcript)
(Distributed by the Office of International Information Programs, U.S.
Department of State. Web site: http://usinfo.state.gov)
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