(28 Jan 2009) SHOTLIST
Cairo, Egypt
1. Egyptian President, Hosni Mubarak meeting US special envoy to the Middle East, George Mitchell
Cairo, Egypt
2. Wide of Mitchell at news conference
3. SOUNDBITE (English) George Mitchell, US special envoy to the Middle East:
"The United States is grateful to Egypt for its leadership in bringing about a ceasefire. It is of critical importance that the ceasefire be extended and consolidated and we support Egypt's continuing efforts in that regard. The United States is committed to vigorously pursuing lasting peace and stability in the region. The decision by President (Barack) Obama to dispatch me to come to this region less that one week after his inauguration is a clear and tangible evidence of this commitment. I look forward to continuing my discussions and consultations with many leaders in this region and in Europe and will in just a few days report my findings directly to President Obama and Secretary (of State Hillary) Clinton. I look forward to returning to the region in the very near future to continue this effort."
Cairo, Egypt
4. Mubarak meeting international Mideast envoy and former British Prime Minister, Tony Blair
Cairo, Egypt
5. Wide of Blair at news conference
6. SOUNDBITE (English) Tony Blair, International Mideast envoy and former British Prime Minister:
"So this is a moment, after a year of many frustrations and difficulties and the tragedy of what has happened in Gaza, this is a moment of possibility and opportunity and it is important that together we seize it."
Jerusalem
7. European Union foreign policy chief, Javier Solana, meeting Israeli President, Shimon Peres, zoom in of handshake
8. Officials at meeting, pan to Peres and Solana
9. SOUNDBITE (English) Javier Solana, European Union foreign policy chief:
"I think he (Mitchell) is a very dedicated man. He's going to do a good job, good work. And I hope he can recuperate the dynamics which is political, which is I think what at the end of the day we're going to need."
10. Wide of meeting
STORYLINE
US President Barack Obama's new Mideast envoy on Wednesday said that his visit to the Middle East sent a "clear and tangible" signal that the US was committed to pursuing peace and stability in the troubled area.
George Mitchell made the comment after talks in Egypt with President Hosni Mubarak.
Mitchell also told reporters it was "critical" that the ceasefire in Gaza between Israel and Palestinian militants be extended and that the US continued to back Egypt's negotiating efforts.
The former US senator was to head later in the day to Jerusalem to meet Israeli Prime Minister Ehud Olmert, top security officials and will also meet Palestinian President Mahmoud Abbas in the West Bank during his diplomatic shuttle.
Mitchell has no plans to meet with Gaza's rulers Hamas, which the US, Israel and the European Union consider a "terrorist" group.
The decision to appoint a presidential envoy and send him to the Middle East so early in the administration is seen by many as a sign that Obama intends to take a more active approach to the region than did his predecessor.
As the man who helped broker Northern Ireland's Good Friday peace accord in 1998, Mitchell also brings gravitas to the job and a proven record of resolving seemingly intractable disputes.
The US envoy's talks in Egypt came as Israeli warplanes pounded smuggling tunnels under the Gaza-Egypt border early on Wednesday, a day after fresh violence broke out in the Gaza Strip.
Three other members of the Israeli squad patrolling the border were injured.

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