*EPF108 04/15/2002
Transcript: Powell Discusses Mideast Humanitarian Issues with NGO's
(Says humanitarian needs are greater than ever) (280)

Secretary of State Colin Powell said "humanitarian needs in the region are greater than ever" prior to a meeting with representatives of non-governmental organizations (NGO's) that provide relief to Palestinians.

Powell was scheduled to meet with NGO representatives in Jerusalem April 15.

Following is a transcript of his comments prior to the meeting:

(begin transcript)

U.S. DEPARTMENT OF STATE Office of the Spokesman (Jerusalem)

April 15, 2002

Remarks By Secretary Of State Colin L. Powell Before Meeting With Non-Governmental Organizations

American Consulate General Jerusalem April 15, 2002

QUESTION: The Lutheran Bishop just said that you told him that you would be seeing Yasser Arafat. Is that true?

SECRETARY POWELL: What I said is we are examining what's going on today and we are going to see what happens. We'll make an announcement later.

QUESTION: Mr. Secretary, could you talk about what you are here to discuss and some of your concerns about what is going on in the Palestinian territories, what you hope to address today?

SECRETARY POWELL: Clearly there are humanitarian needs here in the region greater than ever. I wanted to meet with these dedicated people who do such a great job to hear what those needs are, hear what their concerns are, to see whether there is anything that the United States can do beyond what we are doing. We are going to make an additional contribution in a few moments to the work of these groups but really I'm in an educational, listening mode to hear what their concerns are and what it's going to be like (inaudible).

Thank you.

(end transcript)

(Distributed by the Office of International Information Programs, U.S. Department of State. Web site: http://usinfo.state.gov)

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