Powell talks to EU about Mideast peace process: Greek source

ATHENS (AFP) Apr 10, 2003
US Secretary of State Colin Powell asked for close cooperation with the European Union in order to push for a solution to the Israeli-Palestinian conflict, a senior Greek diplomatic source said on Thursday.

According to the source, Powell spoke on Thursday afternoon (Greek time) at his own initiative with Greek Foreign Minister George Papandreou, whose country holds the EU presidency.

"Powell said the US will attach great importance to the Mideast peace process now that military operations in Iraq seem to be drawing to a close," the source said.

The US, Russia, the EU and the United Nations -- the so-called diplomatic quartet for the Mideast -- have drafted a blueprint for peace which calls for the creation of a Palestinian state alongside a secure Israel by 2005.

SPACE.WIRE