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A return to Clinton By Amir Oren Tags: George Mitchell, Israel news In an interview in Tel Aviv last month with U.S. President Barack Obama's designated Mideast envoy, George Mitchell said it was crucial for the American president and Israeli prime minister to have a secure and trusting relationship. Sovereign states inevitably have difference of opinion over tactics and timing, and that shouldn't worry anyone, he said. But, he added, when it comes to the key issues - like a comprehensive and stable peace between Israel and its neighbors and getting Iran to turn away from nuclear weapons - it's important for the American and Israeli leaders to cooperate and agree on objectives and strategy. Advertisement Mitchell spoke in Tel Aviv about the American perspective on the U.S.-Israel alliance in the new administration at a December conference sponsored by the Institute for National Security Studies. The institute's director, Oded Eran, found out on the eve of the conference that Mitchell had been chosen as the next Mideast envoy, though the envoy-designate did not discuss his new position. Comments Mitchell made about the negative effects of Hamas' electoral victory and takeover of Gaza, a week before Operation Cast Lead began, indicate that in the wake of the war and its weakening of Hamas, the Obama administration will be all the more energetic about renewing the peace process. The administration's efforts, Mitchell said during the lecture, must be resolute, diligent and supported by political capital, financial resources and focused attention at the highest levels, although neither the process nor the agreement can be American. After the Mitchell Report on the origins of the second intifada was shelved, on several occasions Mitchell publicly said any agreement ultimately reached between the parties in the region will be very similar to the plan proposed by Bill Clinton toward the end of his presidency. Mitchell, a Democrat from Maine and former U.S. Senate majority leader, was appointed by Clinton to head the fact-finding commission that compiled the report. Thanks to Mitchell's affiliation with Clinton and the Democratic party, the Bush administration gave the Mitchell Report a chilly reception. In his speech at the Tel Aviv conference, Mitchell said the success of creating two independent democratic countries living in peace depends on the constant effort and mutual commitment of both sides, along with the active involvement of the United States. According to Mitchell, Israel's top goal is security for a nation that lives in intolerable fear, while the Palestinians most want an independent state that has economic vitality and geographic unity, saying the path toward that goal must be free of violence. Fred Hoff, Mitchell's personal assistant in the commission, said in an interview nine months ago that the combined experience of the Mitchell committee, the Road Map - the plan that the Quartet borrowed from the Mitchell committee, adding the political perspective on the establishment of a Palestinian state - and the Annapolis process all show that the American president needs to get the leaders of both sides away from the region, isolate them at a conference somewhere far away and present them with an American plan if they are unable to reach an agreement on their own. Bookmark to del.icio.us   Waltz with Oscar Critically acclaimed Israeli film 'Waltz with Bashir' nominated for an oscar. Not convinced Hamas say Obama represents no change, will fail in Mideast.   1.   Peace plan has to be American, not Israeli 20:30  |  Fed UP 22/01/09

Read & React Gideon Levy: Gaza war ended in utter failure for Israel Responses: 219 Italian paper: Gazans say Hamas kept them in homes used by gunmen Responses: 140 Editorial: Israel should launch its own probe into Gaza war crimes Responses: 50 Yossi Melman: Obama plan to talk buys Iran time for nuclear program Responses: 44 Israel Harel: Like in Lebanon, IDF displayed mediocrity in Gaza Responses: 47 More Headlines 23:28 Obama picks George Mitchell as Mideast envoy 'to make Gaza truce last' 21:07 Olmert to Clinton: Israel will do all it can to prevent Gaza smuggling 00:11 Hamas: Obama does not represent change 20:40 Italian paper: Gazans say Hamas kept them in homes used by gunmen 01:12 Hamas calls for Fatah reconciliation, vows to continue fighting Israel 19:06 Olmert: Gaza op spurred efforts to expedite Shalit release 19:56 Obama spy chief choice: U.S. intel should try to work with Iran 11:07 ANALYSIS / Obama plan to negotiate buys Iran time to complete nuclear program 04:19 Gideon Levy / Gaza war ended in utter failure for Israel 19:13 Oslo parties demand censure of envoy who likened Gaza op to Holocaust 17:08 Israel's 'Waltz with Bashir,' on 1982 Lebanon War, nominated for Oscar 22:03 Oxford students hold sit-in to demand university condemns Gaza op 21:05 Obama issues order to close secret overseas CIA prisons 01:45 Sources: Hamas arms smuggling never stopped during IDF op in Gaza 13:27 Palestinians: Shell fired from Israeli gunboat wounds two in Gaza 01:46 Israel to open Gaza border crossing to journalists on Friday 19:56 Hamas pledges to begin distributing cash to Gazans on Sunday 14:53 Israeli student collects 10 truckloads of basic aid for Gazans 18:31 Jewish groups condemn reprinting of Nazi-era newspapers in Germany Previous Editions Select Day 22 jan 21 jan 20 jan 19 jan 18 jan 16 jan 15 jan 14 jan 13 jan 12 jan 11 jan 09 jan

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