Скачать или смотреть USA: POWELL AND RUMSFELD SPEAK ON MIDDLE EAST

(11 Feb 2001) English/Nat

U-S Secretary of State Colin Powell will add Syria to his itinerary when he travels to the Mideast later this month.

The trip marks Powell's first visit to the region since becoming Secretary of State under George W. Bush.

Powell, who served as Chairman of the U-S Joint Chiefs of Staff during the Persian Gulf War, will this time wear a diplomat's suit instead of a military uniform.

But as was the case a decade ago, Iraqi president Saddam Hussein remains a problem for the United States to deal with.

Another pressing concern is getting acquainted with new Israeli Prime Minister Ariel Sharon and clarifying America's role in bringing about peace in the Mideast.

Secretary of State Colin Powell called for calm in the Mideast after reports that Israeli jets broke the sound barrier over southern Lebanon.

He added that his mission is primarily to feel out attitudes in the region and report back to his new boss, President George W. Bush.

SOUNDBITE: (English)
"I'm looking forward to my trip, and I would just encourage everybody in the region not to take any provocative acts at this time, give Mr. Sharon time to form a government and then let's see where we are at that point. And my visit out the region next week, which will now include a stop in Syria, I hope will give me an opportunity to come back with a good assessment of the thinking on the part of all parties that I can report to President Bush and see how we can help in moving forward".
SUPER CAPTION: Colin Powell, U.S. Secretary of State

Along with Israeli and Palestinian peace, a major topic of discussion for Powell will be how to keep the pressure on Iraq and Saddam Hussein now that more countries are defying international sanctions.

Defence Secretary Don Rumsfeld says Powell will take up the issue next week.

SOUNDBITE: (English)
If we know anything, we know Saddam Hussein has an enormous appetite for nuclear, biological and chemical weapons; we know that he has a pattern of attempting to impose his will on his neighbours; and the interests of the United States and peace-loving countries of the world is to have that type of a regime not have weapons of mass destruction and not impose its will on its neighbours. Our interest is simple - that's it. And Secretary Powell will be addressing that on this trip and visiting with the coalition members who have been involved with us in attempting to restrain the aggressiveness of the Saddam Hussein regime."
SUPER CAPTION: Don Rumsfeld, U.S. Secretary of Defence

President Bush has sought to play down the U-S role in Mideast peacemaking in contrast to the very public role that his predecessor, Bill Clinton, had.

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