Tuesday, January 27
(Egypt)
Mitchell met in Egypt with EU foreign policy chief Javier Solana, Foreign Minister Ahmed Abul Gheit and Intelligence Chief Omar Suleiman.
Wednesday, January 28
(Egypt and Israel)
Following meetings with Mubarak, Mitchell said that the United States supports Egyptian efforts at extending a ceasefire. Also met with the Quartet’s special envoy Tony Blair.
Mitchell met with Israeli Prime Minister Ehud Olmert, President Shimon Peres, Foreign Minister Tzipi Livni and Defense Minister Ehud Barak.
Mitchell emphasized the importance of a lasting ceasefire based on an end to smuggling and an opening of the crossings, including the PA controlling the Rafah crossing with European monitoring. Mitchell also mentioned the importance of addressing the immediate humanitarian needs in Gaza.
Olmert asserted that the crossings would not completely open until the release of captured Israeli solider Gilad Shalit.
Olmert reportedly shared with Mitchell Israel’s offer to the Palestinians in negotiations, which included evacuating 60,000 Israelis from outlying Jewish settlements in the West Bank, land swaps for settlement blocs that Israel intends to keep, Palestinian control of Arab neighborhoods in East Jerusalem and international supervision of the holy sites.
Thursday, January 29
(Israel and the West Bank)
Mitchell held meetings with Israel Army Chief of Staff Lieutenant General Gabi Ashkenazi and other Israeli defense officials.
Mitchell met with Palestinian Authority (PA) President Mahmoud Abbas in Ramallah.
Saeb Erekat, a senior aide to Abbas, said that Abbas discussed the situation in Gaza, Fatah- Hamas reconciliation efforts, reconstruction in Gaza and the Israel-Palestinian negotiations during the past year. He also said Abbas voiced concerns regarding Israel’s continued settlement activity in the West Bank.
Friday, January 30
(Israel)
Mitchell met with opposition leader Benjamin Netanyahu and Social Welfare Minister Isaac Herzog.
Mitchell also held a roundtable with humanitarian agencies at UNRWA where he was briefed on the humanitarian situation in Gaza.
The U.S. State Department announced the authorization of $20.3 million for humanitarian needs in Gaza.
A State Department spokesman said Mitchell’s visit to Turkey scheduled for Sunday had been canceled because of scheduling issues.
Saturday, January 31
(Jordan and Saudi Arabia)
In a meeting with King Abdullah II in Amman, the Jordanian leader emphasized the need for an immediate resumption of peace talks incorporating the Arab Peace Initiative.
Mitchell met with Prince Saud al-Faisal in Riyadh.
Sunday, February 1
(Saudi Arabia)
Mitchell met with Saudi Arabia’s King Abdullah bin Abdul Aziz al-Saud and spoke about the Arab Peace Initiative and Iran’s increased involvement in Palestinian affairs.
Monday, February 2
(France)
Mitchell met with President Nicolas Sarkozy, Foreign Minister Bernard Kouchner and Sarkozy’s Chief of Staff Claude Gueant.
A State Department spokesman announced the cancellation of Mitchell’s final stop in London.
