Rice cancels U.N. visit as issues grow over Mideast cease-fire plans

[Purveyor]

Chicago Tribune

WASHINGTON - Nine days after suggesting that a U.N. Security Council resolution aimed at quelling Mideast fighting was close at hand, Secretary of State Condoleezza Rice canceled a trip to the U.N. on Wednesday as significant differences remained between Washington and its allies over how to achieve a cease-fire.

The key sticking point, especially between the U.S. and France, centers on the details of an Israeli withdrawal from southern Lebanon, an issue that did not appear close to resolution Wednesday as Israeli officials approved a plan to expand their ground offensive against Hezbollah guerrillas. While Bush administration officials declined to comment publicly on whether the Israeli expansion would help or hinder diplomatic efforts, a senior State Department official, speaking on condition of anonymity, called it a "clear message" aimed at pressing the U.N. into quick action.

Although U.S. officials have generally avoided discussing the details of their negotiations, Rice said on July 31 that the ground was prepared for an "urgent and comprehensive" resolution to be passed by the end of last week. Then Sunday, National Security Adviser Stephen Hadley said that U.S. officials hoped for a vote by Tuesday morning.

By Wednesday, after Rice's entourage canceled reservations for a block of rooms at a Manhattan hotel, the growing frustration was clear among top U.S. officials. Rice had expected to help wrap up negotiations on the resolution in New York.

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http://www.fortwayne.com/mld/newssentinel/news/editorial/15236621.htm

[ChairmanAgnostic]

1. delay, delay, delay. And not Tom, either.

what a useless, small minded, insignificant, worthless piece of

[DoYouEverWonder]

2. Turns out defeating Hezbollah is much more difficult then they expected

so Condi has to stall to give the Israelis more time.

[saigon68]

4. She wants more of those Pesky islamics dead

much easier to expand her patron's state if they cleanse the area of the Islamics

[Sonora Nora]

11. she's getting a 'cancellation' reputation!

She cancels this meeting. She cancelled a meeting a couple of weeks ago w/the Lebanese president after he cancelled his meeting with her. You cancel on me? Take that! I cancel on you!

[Missy M]

3. I think this is a deliberate ploy so Israel can keep bombing....

Lebanon into oblivion. It is deplorable and criminal.

[rodeodance]

7. She has no self respect when she acts like this--she has Jr's ear and

if she really cared she would make him listen.

[spindrifter]

5. C*ndi can't afford to come away from another

meeting with nothing to show. That would be a clear signal that she can't handle the job. Looks bad for her; looks bad for us.

[Ress1]

6. Must be hell working for an idiot.

[Matilda]

9. Two idiots working together - even worse.

Condi never looked more incompetent or out of her depth as on her recent ME visit.

[Shipwack]

12. Worse still... they both suspect that they are idiots...

and live in fear that others will realize this.

[ShockediSay]

8. "expected to help wrap up negotiations"

Since when has she wrapped up negotiations on anything worthwhile???

Compared to her, Colin Powell looked effective.

And Madeline Albright comes out looking like Dean Acheson.

[truthisfreedom]

10. "...over how to achieve a cross-fire."

[Demeter]

13. The GOP Princess Getting Doors Slammed in Her Face All oOver

Over the world. Some of it might even be on her own merit, but mostly, it's BushCo based shunning. Couldn't happen to a more undeserving wench.