(12 Sep 1997) English/Nat
U-S Secretary of State Madeleine Albright's tough talking over the Middle East peace process on Friday has brought a mixed reaction from Palestinian and Israeli officials.
She said she would not return to the region just to "tread water" placing the emphasis on both sides to face up to their responsibilities if any progress is to be made.
Summing up the U-S Secretary of State Madeleine Albright's visit, Hanan Ashrawi, the Palestinian Minister of Higher Education, said that she felt that Albright did not connect with the Palestinian people and was more favorable in her relations with Israeli Prime Minister Benjamin Netanyahu.
SOUNDBITE: (English)
"Instead of coming to tread water as she said, she should have come with a lifesaver, with a life vest and she should have really taken matters in hand in order to make clear and decisive and firm decisions. Unfortunately, her predisposition to deal with the Palestinian side as if we were guilty a priori and to make the Palestinians responsible for the safety and security of Israelis is really addressing the issues from the wrong side."
SUPERCAPTION: Hanan Ashrawi, Palestinian Minister of Higher Education
David Bar-Illan, a senior adviser to Israeli Prime Minister Benjamin Netanyahu, partly agreed with Albright.
But focusing on Israeli demands, he said that there is no point for a senior official revisiting the region until more is done by Arafat to improve security.
SOUNDBITE: (English)
"What we have to do now is wait to see if they have indeed drawn the right conclusions and are going to do what is needed. Therefore I think it is quite wise to wait and see some results on the ground before any further visits by American officials they place and in particular a visit by the Secretary of State."
SUPERCAPTION: David Bar-Illan, Netanyhahu senior adviser
Meanwhile, about ten Peace Now activists demonstrated for peace in Jerusalem and called for the peace process to be saved.
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