Secretary of State Colin L. Powell traveled to the Middle East on Tuesday, June 26, 2001. As stated by Department Spokesman Richard Boucher:  "The purpose of the trip is to look at the situation, to evaluate the situation on the ground, to speak to the leaders in the region about where we are with respect to the work plan that the Director of Central Intelligence worked out when he was out there.  Toward that end, we will be encouraging both sides to make 100 percent efforts to reduce the violence, as called for in the Mitchell Committee Report.  This will allow the sides to take steps towards full implementation of the Mitchell Committee recommendations in all their aspects, beginning with the cooling-off period."

Secretary's Remarks
06/29/2001: Press Briefing on Trip to France
06/28/2001: Remarks with Israeli Prime Minister Ariel Sharon
06/28/2001: Press Availability with Palestinian Authority Chairman Yasser Arafat 
06/28/2001: Remarks with Israeli Foreign Minister Shimon Peres
06/28/2001: Remarks with Israeli President Moshe Katsav
06/27/2001: Briefing aboard Aircraft en route Borg El-Arab, Egypt
06/27/2001: Press Briefing with Foreign Minister Ahmed Maher

Related Information:
06/26/2001 : President Bush and Prime Minister Sharon Meet in Oval Office