*EPF304 11/27/2002
Excerpt: Powell Says Intifada Was Mistake for Palestinians
(Meets with Palestinian Minister Nabil Shaath November 27) (700)

Secretary of State Colin Powell said he believed the current Palestinian uprising against Israel was "a mistake."

"It has not brought the Palestinian people any closer to a state of their own or to peace, and I think the sooner that terrorism and violence of this nature is ended, the more likely we are to move forward on the vision that President Bush laid out in his 24 June speech for two states living side by side in peace with each other," said Powell in a press conference with Greek Foreign Minister George Papandreou in Washington November 27.

Later, Powell met with Deputy Secretary Richard Armitage and Nabil Shaath, the Palestinian Minister of Planning and International Cooperation.

The secretary was also asked to comment upon U.S.-Saudi relations in light of accusations that Princess Haifa, wife of Saudi Ambassador to the U.S. Prince Bander, had given money to two of the September 11, 2001 hijackers.

Saudi Arabia and the United States enjoy "a good relationship," and work through differences such as funding activities of non-profit organizations "in the spirit of friendship as befitting the longstanding relationship that we have had," Powell said.

While the matter should be looked into, said Powell, "I think it most unlikely that either Prince Bandar or Princess Haifa would knowingly provide money to individuals or organizations that were conducting terrorist activities."

Following is an excerpt from Secretary Powell's remarks with Foreign Minister Papandreou:

(begin excerpt)

QUESTION: Mr. Secretary, did you see the remarks attributed to Arafat's top deputy to the effect that the Intifada was a mistake?

SECRETARY POWELL: I just saw a press report on that this morning. I have not read it. I just saw the headline and so I cannot comment on it.

I believe it clearly was a mistake. It has not brought the Palestinian people any closer to a state of their own or to peace, and I think the sooner that terrorism and violence of this nature is ended, the more likely we are to move forward on the vision that President Bush laid out in his 24 June speech for two states living side by side in peace with each other.

QUESTION: Mr. Secretary, can I ask you about Prince Bandar and Princess Haifa? You were quoted as saying some things on your plane but you had not said anything on camera. What can you tell us about your understanding as to whether or not Princess Haifa inadvertently ended up giving money to two of the 9/11 hijackers? Also, what can you tell us about your relationship with Prince Bandar?

SECRETARY POWELL: I have known Prince Bandar and Her Royal Highness for close to 23 years. They are old friends of mine, as well as Prince Bandar being a professional associate for many years. As I said on the plane, I think it most unlikely that either Prince Bandar or Princess Haifa would knowingly provide money to individuals or organizations that were conducting terrorist activities.

You saw what the Prince and the Princess said in their interview yesterday, and I know that there are other agencies that are looking into this matter. So I think this matter should be looked into and hear from all sides and see what information and evidence there is before people rush and jump to conclusions as to whether or not something wrong has transpired or not.

We have a good relationship with Saudi Arabia. There are issues that we raise with them from time to time with respect to level of cooperation and some of the funding activities of non-profit organizations and individuals within the Kingdom. We work through these in the spirit of friendship as befitting the longstanding relationship that we have had with Saudi Arabia.

We have only got time for one more.

QUESTION: Mr. Secretary, is there a ban on your meeting, sir, with the Palestinians now? Did you delegate the meetings of the US Government to lower levels? Mr. Shaath is here. Are you going to meet with him?

SECRETARY POWELL: No, the reason we are keeping this press conference short is that Nabil Shaath, a friend of mine, is upstairs now with Mr. Armitage and I am going to go join the meeting. Thank you for that reason to end the press conference.

(end excerpt)

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

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