Obama asks Mitchell to serve as Mideast envoy: source

[maddezmom]

Source: AFP

WASHINGTON (AFP) — US President Barack Obama has asked former Northern Ireland peacemaker George Mitchell to serve as Middle East envoy, a source close to the administration said.

When asked by AFP whether Obama has approached Mitchell for the job, the source replied "he has" and that an announcement could be made later Wednesday or Thursday.

The source did not know whether Mitchell, if he accepts, would report directly to the White House.

"A lot of it depends on to whom he is going to report. Is he going to report directly to the president or is he going to report through the secretary (of state) to the president," the source added.

The appointment is likely to be announced later Wednesday or Thursday, but after Hillary Clinton is confirmed as secretary of state. "I would say it's going to happen after she is confirmed," the source added.



Read more: http://www.google.com/hostednews/afp/article/ALeqM5hLEA...

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Interesting article here:
Mitchell As Envoy Could Split Center
http://www.thejewishweek.com/viewArticle/c37_a14675/New...

[Botany]

1. The Grown Ups are back in charge

Big step up from Condi

[lapfog_1]

2. Mitchell is a good guy

but he is 75 years old and last year had prostate cancer.

It's time to start using a younger set of "elder statesmen" for shuttle diplomacy.

[Sebastian Doyle]

3. Sounds like the Likudists already hate the idea

Which means Mitchell is probably a good choice.

[dtotire]

4. Mitchell is part Lebanese

Is he able to understand Arabic?

[bullwinkle428]

5. Someone relatively respectable was saying that Mitchell really

played hardball when he was Senate Majority Leader - I have a good feeling about this selection!

[Stevepol]

6. Why couldn't Bill be put in charge of this? He's well-liked there

and considered an honest broker I think.

[LeftishBrit]

7. Sounds like great news!

If he can contribute as well to Middle East peace as he did to Northern Ireland peace - it will be great!