Report: Mitchell to arrive in Mideast this week with no plan, no agenda

George Mitchell is a political hack, a coward and a fawning clown. Only a moron who would appoint Hillary Clinton as Secretary of State of the U.S. would appt George Mitchell to his current job of shining Israeli boots.

Israel has become a burden, and, yes, a danger to the United States. If that is the case, then which side are you on? If you have dual citizenship, then choose and stay in the US if you are on America's side, OR go to Israel if you are on its side. You cannot have it both ways. If you do not have dual citizenship, then the word traitor comes to mind.

OIC-ArabLeague divisions on the arab(pal) issue are reflected thru the terror Fatah-Hamas murderous divisions-rivaleries , politics and ideologies . Egypt pressures Abbas to stick to the 'Stages Strategy' , Syria pressure Hamas to the khartoum 3 no , The khartoum 3 no are rephrased by Syria as comprehensive mideast peace . Iran backs Syria , Saudia doesn't mind Iran opinion on the pal issue to expand thru the Mideast . For that reason , Mubarak didn't show up in Saudia last week . Last week Saudia invited Assad and Mubarak to reconciliate between Fatah and Hamas a la Lebanon style gov't coalition . Hariri ended up traveling to Syria to pay Lebanon allegiance to Syria and to let Hezbollah gain more control of Lebanon politics . As for Mitchell "new agenda for renewing negotiations " is nothing less than more Israeli concessions to Abbas , complete settlement freeze including East Jerusalem and a stop to Israel counter terrorism operation in areas under Abbas-fatah control .

Stalling peace has worked so far and all under the biggest illusion ever constructed, so well, for so long! ie "The fear a US letter would toughen the stance of Abbas" ....what a joke, the US public won't get the punch line though. The laughs are loudest in double speak Israel. PEACE EVER?

It is common knowledge that George Mitchell's mother was born in Lebanon, so why do you bring it up as if you were giving us an inside scoop? As a United States Senator and statesman, George Mitchell himself, the subject of the article, made peace in Ulster, something that no one else had been able to do for nearly 100 years. So, you see, good things come from the American tradition of tolerance. Compare George Mitchell, a prominent Arab-American, to Avigdor Lieberman and Danny Ayalon, two of Israel's greatest gifts to statesmanship and diplomacy. If Lieberman had grown up in the United States instead of in the Stalinist USSR, where his ideas were formed, he, too, might have attained prominence for something other that being nasty.

Maybe you should leave the US for which you have no loyalty...and go home where you belong

He's probably just verifying that both sides are not ready to make peace. He'll drop off his cards and go home. Hopefully both sides can stew for some time and when each is ready, they can call and ask for assistance in creating a single state for all. By then, Likud will have fully killed off any chance for two states. Then, maybe when Jews are in the minority, they can thank Bibi for the favor.

Mitchell, Everytime some high-ranking official comes here,there are high hopes which do not materialize. And then a flop,followed by disappointment ! Mitchell. Why bother ? Better to stay at home !

The only reason that Abbas has been throwing temper tantrums whenever he didn't get his own way is because Obama did a tour of the muslim world and basically told Abbas give me a list of demands and I will deliver every one of them because my administration hates Israel just as much as you do. The result was Abbas is acting like we should all come bow down before him and beg him to accept a state. Under Bush if he was told to he would go sit and talk to Israel no strings attached and see what he can get through negotiation. He would have never have dared acted like this when Bush was in power because he would have been put into his place. I am sure Obamas practical thinking has more to do with the primaries and jews votes at stake for the Democrats than Obama actually having a change of heart and wanting to approach this from a practical point of view and not an idealists one at least though he is approaching it right now lets hope it continues.

Petra, you give your address as "USA". Are you not sure where you live?

Barry, "abou" is followed by a first name, not a last name. It means "father of". When I lived in Palestine I was called "abou Steve" in my office as my son's name is Steve. I hope this helps. So, as you can see, calling Mr. George Mitchell "abou Mitchell" was incorrect.

So you live in the US and you say "Mitchell stay home?" Given that Israel'c actions are among the greatest threats to the US, and since it has no intention of a two state solution, you apparently side with Israel. So do you have dual citizenship? If so, decide which side you are on. If it is Israel, why don't you go to live there and bad mouth the US from Israel. If you are a citizen only of America and love America first, then pray tell us why you should support Israel in this fray.

Israel has no trust in the Palestinians but has relationship with Jordan. There should be an exploration of Jordan annexation of the West Bank and Gaza, with relative autonomy for the Palestinians there (although Jordan was most of Palestine before 1946) Israel would trust a Jordanian government not to use the WB and rocket launching platform. LETS TRY SOMETHING COMPLETELY DIFFERENT NOW!

Yo Georgie, stay home! You ain't missing a thing...and neither are we.

I have no idea how Mitchell gets away with this con-trick!!He's no more effective in the Middle East than he was in Northern Ireland. He must have the cushiest pension plan ever,with only Tony Blair running him a distant second. THREE CHEERS FOR ISRAEL!!!

Total U.S. disengagement from the Middle East peace process would be the best policy. Obama goes before the nation in a prime time speech. He says Israel and the Palis have 90 days to reach a final status peace agreement. On the 91st day, not a single U.S. aid dollar goes to either side until they do reach an agreement. We don't give a hot fart what the agreement says, as long as it sticks.

allowed to suggest that the ethnic background of Mr. Mitchell is a factor , in of itself to worry Mr. Goetz about Mitchell intentions towards US policies towards Israel , while all others should never worry about American jews is US govt. and Congress and their possible connectione to skewed US policy vis a vis Israel???????

Petra, you live in the USA. What are YOU if not a Yankee?

Barry, abou means "father of", you idiot.

this week it was no support of ayalon and lieberman w/natanyahoo support against turkey...the US has every reason to support turkey (national interest) and none to support right wing fanatics like ayalon lieberman and yahoo...get the drift?

Nothing's going to happen, and most certainly, Israel will remember your 'demands' that mean nothing from an administration that means nothing. Yankee, stay home.

Finally, the first sign that the Americans are beginning to understand how the arabs think and negotiate. Starting with barak at Camp Wye and at Taba, and continuing to Olmert, they have rejected every offer, but then want to restart any negotiations from the point of their rejection. Notmally, a rejection renders any offeer void. They would do the same with any "guarantee" they would receive from mitchel.. Querry, how could Mitchell guarantee what Israel would agree to? The very thought seems ludicrous.

Before 1967...better yet before 1947...who was the King of Palestine ? If Palestine was not a monarchy but was either a Confederation or a Republic who was the Prime Minister or Presdident respectively ? In which capital city was the Presidential Palace or the House of Parliament ? I do not want the answer being that the country of Palestine was under British Mandate...it does not matter. Even under British mandate the rulers of countries are still named and have a place to govern from.

What was your point? You put things into what prespective???? Go finish your homework and brush you teeth and go to bed. George Mitchel IS the MAN. Wait and see.

Why is it Ok for you Mr. Goetz to question the "integrity and the impartiality" of Arab Americans , while we get dammned to raise the question about the infestation , yes infestation , of pro Zionist , pro Israel ( right or wrong) American Jews who are all over the US governement. Look at Obama's Administration and how many Americans ( Jews) who are in key positions , look at Congress with 36 Jewish Congress persons and 13 Jewish Senators etc. etc... So what is your point ?? Is it Ok for you to play the race card while it is VERBOTTEN for others??? the Chutzpah ...

The parties to the conflict will never make peace between one another. They`ve been trying that for 60 years and NOTHING has come if it. A settlement must be IMPOSED upon the parties by the entity that created the problem, namely the United Nations, which created Israel in 1948. It is indisputable that, in the creation of Israel, Arabs were displaced. It is unjust and unfair to take people`s property for no compensation. The UN must establish a Middle East Compensation Commission to adjudicate claims from everybody, INCLUDING JEWS, who lost property as a result of the UN`s creation of Israel. Just compensation needs to be paid by the UN for a Release of Claims. If you lost your property and had to live in squalor in a camp you too would harbor resentment. It`s nonsense that Arabs left voluntarily. Leaving is not the same as abandoning and disclaiming rights to property, which in the western world is a sacrosanct right. We all leave our homes. When we get back they`re still ours

"...Because of his origin, Mitchell is recognized as a prominent Arab-American...." What's wrong with that ? Let's turn that around : "Because of his origin Rahm Emanuel is recognized as a prominent Jewish-American ...". I am sure you find nothing wrong with THAT, right ? These are both Americans and must work in American's interests. But that may be news to YOU ! As for # 3 S - good sense of humour :-)-:) :-) ! David

Lebanese christians dont even consider themselves Arab.

Mitchell knew this already. Abbas isnt stupid any guarantees to him would have been severely offset by guarantees to Israel. He is right in trashing this crappy idea.

He is going straight to Abu Ghosh to check the largest "Arab? Israeli? Palestinian? Lebanese" hummus dish. If he likes it, he might pull a rabbit out of the hat.

mitchell following the same dusty trail which has ben trod by so many over the last 90 years ! its the fool yourself trail every night before going to sleep !!

Rumour has it that Lieberman the "diplomat" just gets up and walks out when any question of Jerusalum comes up. In the US all set backs are still blamed on the Palestinians though. Ignorance is strength in this Orwellian war of words,who new the never ending march to a 1984 future would be incubated and nurtured in Israel with US help.......PEACE EVER?

Is Mitchell wandering in the desert? What does he not understand about the word NO?

What's your point? Exactly how many people in the current US administration and previous ones ARE Jewish, and ARE citizens of the state of Israel? Your hypocrisy is mind-boggling. Arab witchhunt? Or you're afraid you'll lose your monopoly in PR?

This guy bis like his Boss -Baaaaaaad News!

Its a diversion to have an outsider as an adjudicator. The parties end up making appeals for their entrenched positions simply awaiting a judgement. Possibly the UN can set borders according to the law? Whether that would be wise is another matter.

He obviously likes it here and wants another holiday

... sometimes one needs to be creative and unique in his/hers approach to an internationsl problem...call it the "Zen" approach, while everyone sits waiting for the moment (of enlightment) or diplomatic breakthgrough... What is important: is that someone (usually the USA) continues "the dance"...if you're still dancing there's still hope...

if u give a guy a peace prize for nothing he will continue to do nothing. obamas aim:Peace until 2012 what is his plan? Nothing? or was the peace was his aim at the first time? or it has never been? is he a successful president? depends his real aim...

Abou Mazen grit his setiuation freez sttellment but Metchell cant facting this recuest i suggest We begane a completly relationship and generality peace Israel with all arab countries basicly from Aarab peace initiative

Shalom I would thank US admenistration about true smart gruel against Iran specialy to sicerity effort of her hihgnesty:Hillary Clinton god bless her Zaina

hey, to put things into perspective lets remember that our good friend george mitchell His father, George John Mitchell, Sr. (born Joseph Kilroy) Mitchell's mother, Mary Saad, was a textile worker who emigrated to the United States in 1920 from Bkassine, Lebanon at the age of eighteen. Because of his origin, Mitchell is recognized as a prominent Arab-American.[4]

I'm quite sure he has been threatened by right-wing Jews, just not saying so. Or he's under pressure from the likes of Hillary Clinton, so it's very difficult to talk of justice for Palestinians.

Also, for the pleasure to meet our FM.

The message being: don't count on the USA to force anyone to the negotiating table. If you aren't prepared to negotiate, then be prepared to face the consequences. Sometimes the strongest bargaining chip is a lack of interest.