Washington expands Mideast security pointman's mandate: report


AFP
 Date: 05-28-05

WASHINGTON (AFP) - The United States has reportedly expanded the role of its pointman for Middle East security to mediate between Israelis and Palestinians on security issues as Israel withdraws from the Gaza Strip.

Palestinian leader Mahmud Abbas, who attended a White House summit Thursday, disclosed US General William Ward's new mandate to a small group of reporters Friday in Washington, according to the Washington Post, which said the change was confirmed by an Israeli official and a senior US official.

"We have noticed and felt an American commitment, and perhaps this commitment manifests itself through the mandate of General Ward, which will expand," Abbas said.

Ward was tasked with assisting the Palestinian Authority on security matters and was originally told not to intervene in discussions between the two parties, according to the newspaper.

"But US officials concluded that the two sides were failing to coordinate effectively and needed a third party's help to make real progress before Israel leaves Gaza as planned in August," the Post reported.

After the summit with US President George W. Bush, Abbas said he was "very pleased" with Bush's renewed support for an independent and contiguous Palestinian state and his opposition to continued expansion of Israeli settlements.

Bush also announced 50 million dollars in direct aid for housing and infrastructure in Gaza.

Source

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