Mubarak, Bush Discuss US Efforts on Mideast Peace by PhoneEgyptian President Hosni Mubarak Tuesday received a phone call from US President George W. Bush, and discussed with him US efforts for concerned parties to implement recommendations on ending Palestinian-Israeli violence.During the phone conversation, Mubarak welcomed Washington's decision to implement the Mitchell report on the causes of the ongoing bloody conflict, saying that the report could be considered a balanced foundation to restore calm to the Middle East, together with an Egyptian-Jordanian peace initiative aimed at ending the violence in the occupied Palestinian territories. The two presidents agreed to maintain their consultations in the next few days in light of the outcome of contacts with both the Israelis and Palestinians, in order to promote opportunities for realizing "just and comprehensive" peace in the region "as soon as possible," the state-run Middle East News Agency reported. On Monday, U.S. Secretary of State Colin Powell offered Washington's endorsement of the report, saying it could serve as a basis for halting escalating violence in the region. Powell also named U.S. ambassador to Jordan William Burns as a special envoy for the Middle East to help implement the recommendations of the report, which calls for an immediate cease fire, a freeze on Jewish settlements, and more determined action against terrorism from the Palestinians. The Mitchell commission was set up last October to probe the Palestinian-Israeli violence, which has left more than 520 people dead, mostly Palestinians, over the past eight months. |
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