Powell appeals for restraint in Middle East

U.S. Secretary of State Colin Powell

WASHINGTON (CNN) -- Secretary of State Colin Powell appealed Monday for Israelis and Palestinians to exercise restraint even as violence continued to mar the Middle East.

Powell's language was not as strong as previous comments he has made about recent Israeli incursions into Palestinian territory. This time, he did not single out Israel for criticism.

"It's very disturbing that the cycle of violence continues to go upward," he told CNN's Andrea Koppel in an interview. "And it just reinforces my view, and the view of every leader in the world right now, that we have got to do everything we can to get the cycle moving in the other direction.

VIDEO Watch Powell's interview with CNN State Department Correspondent Andrea Koppel (May 14) Part 1 (QuickTime, Real or Windows Media) Part 2 (QuickTime, Real or Windows Media) Part 3 (QuickTime, Real or Windows Media)     CNN ACCESS Powell: Arafat's tough words not helpful

"We keep appealing to both sides to be restrained, to not use violence as a way of solving the problems that exist in the region. And we continue to give that message in a very, very strong and positive voice."

Asked about comments by Palestinian Authority President Yasser Arafat that Israel had been engaged in assassinations, Powell called for moderation.

"That kind of language I don't think is particularly helpful, especially during this time when Israel is celebrating its anniversary," he said. "I think this should be a time for leaders on both sides to encourage restraint and to act as leaders and not encourage any forms of violence."

In the wide-ranging interview, Powell also expressed confidence that the United States would get back the Navy reconnaissance plane held by China, saying a resolution could be expected in "the next few days." China has held the plane since an April 1 collision with one of its fighter jets over the South China sea. The damaged U.S. plane made an emergency landing on China's Hainan Island, and the American crew was released after 11 days.

Powell expressed disappointment with moves by two U.N. commissions -- one dealing with human rights and another dealing with anti-drug efforts -- to kick off the United States as a member, but he reiterated the administration's belief that the United States should not withhold U.N. dues as a punishment. The House last week voted to withhold some U.N. dues because of the recent commission votes.

"The way to take a loss of this nature is to fight and come back," Powell said.

Powell said he had no quarrel with the European Union's decision Monday to establish diplomatic relations with North Korea, but he said the United States was not ready to do the same.

He said engagement with North Korea would come "at the appropriate time."

Powell dismissed reports of fighting within the administration over its foreign policy.

"We get along just fine," he said. "Do we have differences of opinion? Well, what fun would it be if you didn't have differences of opinions? How would it serve the president if all of us thought the same thing about every issue all the time? The important point is that we know how to air our differences."

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Israeli Ministry of Foreign Affairs
Israeli Prime Minister's Office
Knesset, Israeli Parliament
Israel Defense Forces
Permanent Mission of Israel to the U.N.
Palestinian National Authority
Palestinian Red Crescent
Permanent Observer Mission of Palestine to the U.N.
U.S. State Department, Bureau of Near Eastern Affairs
U.N. Question of Palestine home page
The E.U.'s Middle East Policy

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