Outgoing U.S. Ambassador to Israel Daniel Kurtzer: His replacement is a veteran U.S. diplomat
Photo: Shimi Nachteiler
New U.S. envoy pledges to speak out
Veteran diplomat Richard H. Jones says Bush administration does not approve of Abbas' strategy of 'trying to co-opt' violent groups and bring them over to his side instead of challenging them head-on
WASHINGTON - The newly named U.S. ambassador to Israel promised to speak out against terrorist attacks and praised Palestinian leader Mahmoud Abbas as moving against violent groups in a low-key but productive way.
Testifying before the Senate Foreign Relations Committee regarding his nomination, veteran diplomat Richard H. Jones said the Bush administration does not approve of Abbas' strategy of "trying to co-opt" violent groups and bring them over to his side instead of challenging them head-on.
"But what really matters is that there be an end to the violence," Jones said.
Jones, who speaks Arabic and has served in four Arab countries in a career now in its third decade, took an outspoken stand against terror.
"I am not shy about taking on terrorists," Jones said. "When I was ambassador to Lebanon I had no problem in condemning terror, including Hizbullah," he said of the group that for years has attacked Israel from sanctuaries in Lebanon.
Jones also reaffirmed that Abbas was obliged to dismantle Palestinian terror groups in the first stage of a three-step U.S.-backed road map for peacemaking between Israel and the Palestinians.
"He is going about it his own way," Jones said.
"Abbas has shown he is willing to take on Hamas with his courageous leadership. And that is what we have to see more of," the diplomat said.
Touting the Bush administration's strong support for Israel, Jones said the "special relationship between the United States and Israel is strong, perhaps stronger now than at any time in the past."
With Israel due to relinquish Gaza and part of the West Bank beginning in three weeks, Jones said "the administration's commitment to this effort is steadfast."
Sen. George Allen, R-Va., offering lukewarm praise of Abbas at the hearing, said Abbas was "clearly better than Yasser Arafat, that corrupt, reptilian terrorist."
Jones spoke at a hearing in which three other nominees for ambassadorships also testified: Francis J. Ricciardone for Egypt, William J. Burns for Russia and William R. Timken for Germany.
All four were praised, and the Senate is expected to approve them before it closes down at the end of the week for a monthlong August vacation.
