Former U.S. Senator George Mitchell spoke last week at the conference , “Is Peaceful Co-Existence Possible?” sponsored by the World Affairs Council and USM. Mitchell, former senate majority leader. also served as special advisor to President Clinton in the Northern Ireland Peace Accords. The Mitchell Report asked for a “phasing out of guerilla weapons in Northern Ireland in addition to elections prior to the opening of peace talks.” As of late, Mitchell served as the Chairman of the Fact-Finding Sharm el-Sheikh International Committee to end violence in Israel.
Mitchell spent a year talking with Israeli Prime Minister Ariel Sharon and Palestinian leader Yassir Arafat to begin negotiations on how to halt the violence. Since Mitchell’s plan was adopted into policy by President Bush, the violence has escalated.
“There is total mistrust between these people.” This is the main reason the violence does not stop and negotiations are at a halt.
“These are two proud peoples who share a land. Neither is willing to take a step forward because of the mistrust,” said Mitchell.
Mitchell recounted a story of a meeting between the two ruling men. Sharon privatelyt old Mitchell after leaving the meeting that he desperately wanted the violence to end because it is unbearable and impossible to live there. Mitchell later finished a meeting with Arafat, attested to the same thing. Both men want to live in peace yet are untrusting of the other.
During this conference Mitchell stated peace was coming soon for both parties but not without the help of the U.S. Though not saying he disagreed with President Bush’s policies, Mitchell felt more light should be shone on this issue rather than Iraq.
In his experience, Mitchell stated the easiest part of negotiating is talking about the issues between the two parties. The hardest and most important part is the implementation of the agreement.
Mitchell has hope for peace between the Israelis and Palestinians, relating their situation to that in Northern Ireland.
“They have seen the benefits of peace and I don’t think they’ll let it go.”
When asked by an audience member what the U.S. will say to India about invading Pakistan, Mitchell gave his version of foreign policy. Mitchell stated since the U.S. has decided not to go alone, but with the backing of the United Nations, they should abide with what the U.N. does. It would cause much harm for countries if the U.S. acted on its own.