MultiVu Digital Center Feed: U.S. Envoy Says Obama Administration Remains Firm on its Policy Toward Peace in the Middle East Following Israeli Government Action to Freeze New Construction.

MultiVu Digital Center Feed: U.S. Envoy Says Obama Administration Remains
Firm on its Policy Toward Peace in the Middle East Following Israeli
Government Action to Freeze New Construction.

DATELINE/CITY: November 25, 2009 - Washington, DC

FORMAT: Soundbites and broll

STORY SUMMARY: Special briefing by U.S. Special Envoy for Middle East Peace,
Senator George Mitchell following the announcement by the Israeli government
to freeze new construction in the West Bank.

ADDITIONAL RESOURCES: Video, hard copy requests, contact information and
more available at
http://thedigitalcenter.com/projects/1258-us-envoy-says-obama-administration-remains-firm-on-its-policy-toward-peace-in-the-middle-east-following-israeli-government-action-to-freeze-new-construction

www.state.gov

CLIP CONTAINING 5 SOUNDBITES (TRT: 2:30)

SOUNDBITES:

Soundbite #1 Special Envoy for Middle East Peace, Senator George Mitchell,
U.S. Department of State

Summary: Mitchell says U.S. policy on new settlements remains the same.

Verbatim: "The steps announced today are the result of a unilateral decision
by the government of Israel. This is not an agreement with the United States,
nor is it an agreement with the Palestinians. The United States policy on
settlements remains unaffected and unchanged. As the President has said,
America does not accept the legitimacy of continued Israeli settlements."
TRT: :30

Soundbite #2Special Envoy for Middle East Peace, Senator George Mitchell, U.S.
Department of State

Summary: Mitchell sees Israeli effort short but a positive step forward.

Verbatim: "While they fall short of a full freeze, we believe the steps
announced by the Prime Minister are significant and could have substantial
impact on the ground. For the first time ever, an Israeli government will
stop housing approvals and all construction of housing units and related
infrastructure in West Bank settlement. That's a positive development."
TRT: :29

Soundbite #3Special Envoy for Middle East Peace, Senator George Mitchell, U.S.
Department of State

Summary: Mitchell reaffirms U.S. policy on Jerusalem.

Verbatim: "As to Jerusalem, United States policy remains unaffected and
unchanged. As has been stated by every previous Administration which
addressed this issue, the status of Jerusalem and all other status issues must
be resolved by the parties through negotiations."
TRT: :26

Soundbite #4Special Envoy for Middle East Peace, Senator George Mitchell, U.S.
Department of State

Summary: Mitchell says U.S. will not accept unilateral action that preempts
negotiations.

Verbatim: "The United States has not accepted and disagrees with any
unilateral action by either party, which could have the effect of preempting
negotiations."
TRT: :13

Soundbite #5Special Envoy for Middle East Peace, Senator George Mitchell, U.S.
Department of State

Summary: Mitchell says U.S. is committed to re-launch negotiations and the
two state solution.

Verbatim: "Despite the difficulties and the complex political circumstances
in the region, we are committed to the re-launch of negations and to the two
state solution. We will not be deterred by setbacks. We are determined to
stay the course in the cause of comprehensive peace in the Middle East."
TRT: :22

VIDEO PROVIDED BY: U.S. Department of State

Media Contact: Joan Storck, +1-202-504-6411, storcklj@state.gov

FOR TECHNICAL INFORMATION OR HARD COPY, PLEASE E-MAIL:
digitalcenter@multivu.com

/PRNewswire -- Nov. 25/

SOURCE U.S. Department of State