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ADC Applauds Selection of George Mitchell as Special Middle East Envoy
The American-Arab Anti-Discrimination Committee (ADC) welcomes today’s appointment of former Senate Majority Leader George Mitchell as Special Envoy to the Middle East by President Barack Obama and Secretary of State Hillary Clinton.
A child of Arab and Irish immigrants, Mitchell also has experience in the region. In 2001, he traveled to the region and produced the “Mitchell Report” which set out measure for Israeli and Palestinians could take to stop the violence and restore their confidence in each other. Although well received the Administration did not push to implement the measures outlined in the report.
ADC Communications Director Laila Al-Qatami said, “George Mitchell is an exceptionally well qualified and highly respected public servant. Known for his ability to generate good will, he has a proven record of leadership and negotiating peace. ADC hopes he will have full authority and support to actually reach an end to Israeli-Palestinian conflict and to create a just and durable peace agreement.”
He has said, “For those of you in the Middle East who are discouraged, I understand your feelings. But from my experience in Northern Ireland I formed the conviction that there is no such thing as a conflict that can’t be ended. Conflicts are created and conducted by human beings. They can be ended by human beings. I saw it happen in Northern Ireland although admittedly it took a very long time. I believe deeply that with committed, persevering and active diplomacy it can happen in the Middle East.”
