中東外交特使

Obama Names Afganistan-Pakistan Special Envoys

Washington-1/23/2009 10:18 A.M.

http://www.asahi.com/international/update/0123/TKY200901230037.html

On the 22nd, President Obama designated special envoys to address the Afghanistan and Pakistan dilemmas in the Middle East. He then delivered a lecture at the newly remanned State Department, announcing his new designates and outlining diplomacy as a major theme.

He announced the designation of newly appointed Secretary of State Clinton. Former Senator George Mitchell was named Middle East Peace Envoy and Former UN Ambassador Richard Holbrooke was put in charge of U.S. Representative to Afghanistan and Pakistan. Both are established leaders in Foreign Diplomacy, Mitchell assisted with the North Ireland Peace Accords and Holbrooke brokering the Bosnian Peace Deal.

In his lecture at the State Department, Mr. Obama emphasized the withdrawal of Israeli forces from Gaza. "A complete withdrawal is definite." He said. "Hamas must end it's rocket fire. Israel will complete it's withdrawal." He called for self control on both parties. He also revealed that he wishes to end the weapons smuggling into Gaza that was performed under the Bush Administration in cooperation with Israel.

He also said "Just as Israel is fearful of rockets aimed at them, Palestinians should not have to endure such a hopeless future", underscoring the importance of Middle Eastern peace. We will persue heartily the realization of an Israeli and Palestinian 2 two state solution."

On the other hand, he identified Afghanistan and Pakistan as the "center of the battle against terror and radical ideology. They together are a problem confronting the world of peace and security. If we don't deal with the Al Qaeda Base at the Pakistani-Afghan border, we cannot resolve the troubles in Afghanistan." Saying that a resolution to the problem involves Pakistan as well, a representative for BOTH countries was chosen.

Mr. Mitchell made notice of his experience with the Northern Ireland Peace Talks saying; "I am very confident that there is no conflict that cannot be stopped." Mr. Obama intends to dispatch Mr. Mitchell to the Middle East as soon as possible.

Furthermore, Mr. Holbrooke who would be overseeing Afghanistan policy coordination via The State Department and the U.S. Agency for International Development said this; "If we properly use the resources at hand, efficiency can be raised ten-fold."

Asahi Shinbun