Israel-Palestine Expect Middle Eastern Peace

On the day when the `Mitchell commission report` on Middle East violence was issued, Martin Indyk, U.S. ambassador to Israel, met with Israel Prime Minister Ariel Sharon. Both discussed, for two hours, the possible measures to end the clash in the Middle East. At the meeting to discuss the timing and sequence of future steps to build confidence, Ron Schlicher, U.S. Consul General in Jerusalem, also attended.

Indyk and Schlicher met Palestinian leader Yasser Arafat to discuss on the Mitchell report on May 22. Arafat talked, on the phone, with Collin Powell, the U.S. Secretary of State, and met the European Union high representative for foreign and security policy, Javier Solana, who is also a member of the Mitchell commission on May 21.

The Israeli Foreign minister expressed his full support to the Mitchell report, saying, ``Despite the violent conflicts, peace is not deceased.``

Bloody clashes had been continued for past 8 months and two Palestinians were killed by the Israel`s bombing over homes and factories in Gaza strip on the day of May 21 when the Mitchell report was issued.

Fierce battles between the Israel army and the Palestinian security unit were displayed in Hebron area, west of Jordan. One patient, who was hospitalized, was killed.

Foreign news reported that the residents of Israeli settlement in Nablus shot a Palestinian man down, accusing him as `a thief.`

Attacks and counter attacks between Israel and Palestine continued in the area of Ramallah and Rachel graveyard.

Meanwhile, Israel held, on a full alert, a large-scale ceremony of `The day of Jerusalem` for the celebration of the East Jerusalem conquer during the 3rd Middle Eastern War in 1967.

Kwon Ki-Tae kkt@donga.com