Powell's top deputy pushes Israel on withdrawals

Deputy Secretary of State Richard Armitage repeated the U.S. position that Israel stop its West Bank incursions.

WASHINGTON (CNN) -- The U.S. deputy secretary of state urged Israel on Sunday to allow humanitarian organizations to enter the Jenin refugee camp, where food, water and medical aid are in short supply.

He also repeated U.S. demands that Israel stop its incursions in the West Bank.

"I think it's very incumbent on Israel to open up Jenin as soon as possible," said Deputy Secretary of State Richard Armitage. "The United States information on Jenin is very limited. We've not had access."

Secretary of State Colin Powell voiced concern Saturday about humanitarian conditions at the camp after meeting with aid officials from the International Committee of the Red Cross and the U.N. Relief and Works Agency.

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Shortly after Armitage spoke about the camp, Israeli Foreign Minister Shimon Peres said there still were exchanges of fire in Jenin, but he expected it would be opened to humanitarian workers and others shortly.

"Within a very short period of time, Jenin will be opened," he said.

Armitage, commenting on Sunday's meeting between Powell and Palestinian leader Yasser Arafat, said, "I certainly hope they'll be able to flesh out the words that Chairman Arafat said [Saturday] about the reduction in violence."

He was referring to Saturday's statement by Arafat and key Palestinian aides that condemned violence against Palestinian and Israeli civilians. (Read statement)

"They'll be looking for ways that Chairman Arafat can use the bully pulpit of his leadership, as required and called upon by our president, to bring clearly home to his people that violence [is] not effective," Armitage said.

"The secretary will be working with friends in Israel to try and effect even further withdrawals as the president has called for," Armitage said. "The president has called for the Israelis to withdraw without delay. There have been substantial withdrawals. We expect more.

"Every night that goes by without a suicide bombing means many more families in Israel will be able to live and realize their dreams," he said. "Every moment that an Israeli tank moves out of a West Bank town, you have Palestinians who will be able to resume their lives."