BUSH WILL STOP MEDIATING - US to lower profile in I/P - Ma'ariv

[tinnypriv]

Note: Yet again, I couldn't find this in any news outlet, so excuse the links. The block caps title is from the front cover of Ma'ariv, the second from the internet version.

Bush will stop mediating

Estimate: U.S. to lower profile in Middle East | Israeli officials: U.S. focusing on Iraq, will reduce involvement in the Israeli/Palestinian conflict | Will not propose new peace solutions

Ma'ariv, 2 October 2003

The United States intends to reduce its involvement in the Israeli-Palestinian conflict until next year, according to Israeli officials.

According to internal documents in Jerusalem, "difficult internal/foreign affairs concerns mean that the Bush administration will concentrate on the Iraq problem to relieve the president from intensive involvement in other issues, including the Israeli-Palestinian conflict".

Israeli officials say that the focus will now shift to the continuing complications in Iraq and the falling popularity ratings of President Bush, instead of Israeli-Palestinian mediation, which will be handled by the state department.

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To mark a "lower profile" in the conflict, U.S. envoy John Wolf will return to the United States and also reduce his visits to the region.

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It is believed that the Roadmap plan will now go into a "deep freeze". The American aim is to maintain the current "relative silence" and status quo, until after the presidential elections in Nov 2004.

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The United States will also remain detatched from Abu Ala, as he attempts to form a new government.

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http://images.maariv.co.il/channels/1/ART/550/457.html (hebrew)

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Comment: Alright, what was that fucking bullshit about concentrating on I/P after Iraq? Oh and "deep freeze"? Catchy! :eyes: