Wednesday, January 28, 2009
Griff Witte Reports on the New Style of Diplomacy
Classic Griff Witte – whereby you read his reporting on the Mideast and you finish more confused than ever: U.S. Envoy Calls for 'Consolidated' Cease-Fire in Gaza
First Paragraph:
“The Obama administration's Middle East envoy, former senator George J. Mitchell (D-Maine), arrived here Wednesday to push for a more solid cease-fire between Israel and Hamas, hours after Israel bombed smuggling tunnels in Gaza to retaliate for a Tuesday attack that killed an Israeli soldier.”
19th and Last Paragraph:
“Continuing with a Bush administration policy of not talking to Hamas, which the United States considers a terrorist organization, Mitchell is not expected to meet with any members of the movement. Instead, he is expected to focus on talks with the more moderate Palestinian Authority, which holds sway in the West Bank but was ousted from Gaza by Hamas forces in June 2007.”
I certainly don’t object to the new Administration continuing the boycott of Hamas but, as a reporter, isn’t Mr. Witte the least bit curious how the President and his Special Envoy expect this “push for a more solid cease-fire between Israel and Hamas” to happen without Hamas involvement?
First Paragraph:
“The Obama administration's Middle East envoy, former senator George J. Mitchell (D-Maine), arrived here Wednesday to push for a more solid cease-fire between Israel and Hamas, hours after Israel bombed smuggling tunnels in Gaza to retaliate for a Tuesday attack that killed an Israeli soldier.”
19th and Last Paragraph:
“Continuing with a Bush administration policy of not talking to Hamas, which the United States considers a terrorist organization, Mitchell is not expected to meet with any members of the movement. Instead, he is expected to focus on talks with the more moderate Palestinian Authority, which holds sway in the West Bank but was ousted from Gaza by Hamas forces in June 2007.”
I certainly don’t object to the new Administration continuing the boycott of Hamas but, as a reporter, isn’t Mr. Witte the least bit curious how the President and his Special Envoy expect this “push for a more solid cease-fire between Israel and Hamas” to happen without Hamas involvement?
