|
US Secretary of State Colin Powell plans to travel to the Middle East in the near future, the State Department said Thursday.
But the trip will be made only after the release of the much-awaited Middle East roadmap peace plan, spokesman Richard Boucher told reporters.
"He (Powell) would expect to travel to the region in the near future," Boucher said.
He noted that the timing for such a trip is not decided yet, which will be dependent on the release of the Middle East roadmap peace proposal developed by the so-called quartet, including the United States, Russia, the European Union and the United Nations.
Washington has insisted that the peace plan be released only after the confirmation of new Palestinian Prime Minister Abu Mazen, which may take place next week.
Boucher said Powell's coming trip will also cover Syria, which has been under attack by Washington for allegedly lending help to President Saddam Hussein's government in the US-led war against Iraq.
He said Powell will talk about US concerns with Syrian leaders during his stay in Damascus.
(Xinhua News Agency April 17, 2003)
|
