ISRAEL: U.S Middle East envoy George Mitchell meets Israeli Defence Minister Ehud Barak

Record ID: 396650

  • Title: ISRAEL: U.S Middle East envoy George Mitchell meets Israeli Defence Minister Ehud Barak
  • Date: 4th June 2010
  • Summary: TEL AVIV, ISRAEL (JUNE 3, 2010) (REUTERS FOR POOL) U.S MIDDLE EAST ENVOY GEORGE MITCHELL SHAKING HANDS WITH ISRAELI DEFENCE MINISTER EHUD BARAK (SOUNDBITE) (English) U.S MIDDLE EAST ENVOY GEORGE MITCHELL SAYING: "Our objective is clear: a comprehensive peace in the Middle East including peace between Israel and Palestinians, Israel and Syria, Israel and Lebanon, and ful
  • Embargoed: 19th June 2010 13:00
  • Keywords:
  • Location: Israel
  • Country: Israel
  • Reuters ID: LVA4H5MZM5NYXW65UA5HCSQJBPVZ
  • Story Text: The U.S. Middle East peace envoy said on Thursday (June 3) a lethal Israeli raid on a Gaza-bound aid ship must not undermine indirect negotiations he is mediating between Israel and the Palestinians.
    George Mitchell, speaking as he met Israeli Defence Minister Ehud Barak in Tel Aviv, said the incident showed the need for progress in the talks that got under way last month.
    "The recent difficulties remind us of the urgency and importance of the task that we set for ourselves and for the region," said Mitchell, who held talks on Wednesday with Palestinian President Mahmoud Abbas.
    Israel on Thursday resisted calls for an international inquiry to investigate its lethal seizure of a Turkish ship bound for blockaded Gaza.
    The United States, less outspoken than most of Israel's enemies and friends since nine people on the Mavi Marmara were killed on Monday, backed calls from the European Union, Turkey and the United Nations for some form of international inquiry.
    Barak said the incident should not derail the peace process.
    "We really expect and want to see that the recent event will not disturb the main cause of our common policy: to make sure that the peace process continues, doesn't stop by events however unpredictable," he added.
    "I hope we can give a resumed momentum to the proximity talks. (We) express our hope that it will lead soon as possible to direct talks between us and the Palestinians in order to break the stalemate and to move forward toward peace and agreement."
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