Today, President Obama, Vice President Biden and Secretary of State Clinton announced that former Senate majority leader George Mitchell would become their special envoy for Middle East peace. On November 30, 2007, following the Annapolis Conference, Middle East Progress interviewed Senator Mitchell about next steps for the Bush Administration. In response to what lessons learned from his efforts in Northern Ireland might apply, he responded:
"There has to be an absolute determination that is constantly communicated in word and deed to get the job done. There has to be an American willingness to get engaged. It requires a fine balance and some good judgment and diplomacy. You don’t want to create the impression that it’s an American agreement. But on the other hand, the United States can’t just wring its hands on the sidelines if the parties are unable to reach agreement. We have to get involved. So, that takes a good deal of diplomacy and skill. It obviously is a huge challenge because it’s a very complicated situation. But, as I said, the objective is so important that it’s worth the effort whatever the obstacles and dangers are."
