Military

DATE=7-16-02

TYPE=CORRESPONDENT REPORT

TITLE=Mideast Meeting (L)

NUMBER=2-292104

BYLINE=ELAINE JOHANSON

DATELINE=New York

CONTENT=

VOICED AT:

INTRO: A new round of high-level talks in New York today (Tuesday) aimed at jump-starting the stalled Middle East peace process was long on commitment but did not yield a concrete plan of action leading to the creation of a Palestinian state. Senior officials from the United States, Russia, the European Union and the United Nations, a grouping known as the "quartet" met for about an hour at a midtown Manhattan hotel. V-O-A correspondent Elaine Johanson reports from New York:

TEXT: The "quartet" talks took place in the shadow of the latest Palestinian attack in the West Bank, which killed several Israelis. For the high-level mediators, the incident was another bloody reminder of the urgent need for a political settlement.

U-S Secretary of State Colin Powell, Russian foreign minister Igor Ivanov, European Union representatives including chief diplomat Javier Solana, and U-N Secretary-General Kofi Annan issued a statement calling for an end to violence, including suicide bombings. It also called on Israel to withdraw from re-occupied Palestinian towns.

The mediators pledged to work toward the creation of a Palestinian state within a three-year time frame, in line with a plan put forward by President Bush, and urged the Palestinians to carry out reforms.

But there was no sign the talks were leading toward a common plan of action. And the issue of Yasser Arafat continues to divide the "quartet." The United States has insisted on new Palestinian leadership before it would accept a provisional Palestinian state.

Secretary Powell said the New York talks were about issues, not personalities. But he indicated the Bush administration continues to take a dim view of the Palestinian leader:

///POWELL ACT///

With respect to Mr. Arafat, this is a choice that ultimately will have to be made by the Palestinian people. As the President (Bush) has said the leadership they have enjoyed in recent years has not brought them any closer to a Palestinian state.

///END ACT///

As for the others, they gave no opinion about Mr. Arafat's leadership. But they all agreed he is the one they have to do business with until the Palestinians hold elections next year:

Secretary-General Kofi Annan:

///ANNAN ACT///

As for Arafat, we all have our respective positions. The U-N still recognizes Chairman Arafat and we will continue to deal with him until the Palestinians decide otherwise.

///END ACT///

In the meantime, Secretary Powell said the United States would focus on creating a better security situation in the region, though he was not specific. He said political progress depends on ending the violence.

///REST OPT///

Arab governments are pushing a plan for recognition of a Palestinian state sooner rather than later. The foreign ministers of Egypt, Jordan and Saudi Arabia travel to Washington on Wednesday for more talks with the Bush Administration. (SIGNED)

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