Lame duck
Powell Starts New Mideast Peace Mission
Powell Tries to Revive Mideast Peace Talks As Israel Weighs West Bank Pullback Before Elections
The Associated Press
Nov. 21, 2004 - Secretary of State Colin Powell embarked Sunday on a mission to revive the Middle East peace process after Yasser Arafat's death, saying he will ask Israel to help with the upcoming Palestinian election to pick a successor.
Israel said it would consider pulling back troops from disputed areas in the West Bank.
On his way to the Middle East, Powell told reporters on his plane that U.S.-Palestinian cooperation in setting up the elections "will encourage a degree of cooperation that can spread into other areas."
"This is a moment of opportunity," Powell said. "I'll be encouraging both sides to do everything they can to make sure that this election comes off and that the maximum number of Palestinians get the opportunity to participate."
He said there were "many things" the Israelis could do to help, and he will discuss them during a Monday meeting with Israeli officials.
