Powell links appeal to halt violence with hint of re-engagement in Middle East

The US Secretary of State, Mr Colin Powell, held out the tentative possibility of US re-engagement in the Middle East peace process in appealing for an immediate "unconditional" cessation of violence following yesterday's publication of the Mitchell report.

There was no military solution, he insisted, warning that unless leaders on both sides pulled back there was a danger of a wider regional conflagration.

Mr Powell, who warmly welcomed the report's recommendations, said that although now was not the time for shuttle diplomacy, the US could become involved in the context of a cessation of violence in helping to establish a framework and time-frame for confidence building measures that could eventually lead to a resumption of substantive peace negotiations.

He said he was asking the US ambassador to Jordan, Mr William Burns, an administration nominee for Assistant Secretary of State for Middle East Affairs, to report to him on ways the US could assist in getting the process under way again. He asked Congress to speed Mr Burns's ratification.

Significantly Mr Powell went out of his way to highlight the issue of Israel's putting a halt to settlements, acknowledging that the US and Israel had substantial differences over the latter's insistence on its right to expand existing settlements. He also insisted on the need for both Palestinians and Israelis to reiterate their absolute commitment to agreement already reached.

Such essential confidence-building moves, he said, should not be seen to be related to the issue of a cessation of violence, which should be unconditional.

Mr Powell said he did not see a direct role for himself in the current situation, dashing suggestions that he might extend the African trip he is just starting to the Middle East.

Pressure has been rising from Washington's allies for a more explicit US public involvement in the rapidly worsening crisis, and the Vice-President, Mr Dick Cheney, made clear over the weekend US disapproval of the use of fighter aircraft to bomb Palestinian targets.

But the administration has insisted that, unlike its predecessor, it will not get involved in micro-managing negotiations. Mr Powell said yesterday that although the US "remained engaged" the onus for any advance lay with leaders locally.

The courage they needed required looking "beyond the passions of the moment and to some extent public opinion".