THE HAGUE, Dec. 10 -- Secretary of State Colin L. Powell prescribed a cautious approach to resolving the Israeli-Palestinian conflict Friday, saying substantial steps toward creation of a Palestinian state could not be considered until after Israel withdraws from the Gaza Strip next year.
"We can't rush it," Powell said at a news conference after meeting here with senior European Union officials.
Secretary of State Colin L. Powell outlines steps to precede negotiations.
(Jalil Bounhar -- AP)
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European leaders, including British Prime Minister Tony Blair, have pressed the administration to seize the opportunity opened up by the death of the Palestinian leader Yasser Arafat and begin final negotiations on creating a state. But the Israeli government opposes such a fast track, and Powell's remarks underscored the administration's proximity to the Israeli position.
Palestinian officials have also expressed hope for a quick return to negotiations, saying that the parameters of a deal have been accepted by both sides. The key remaining stumbling blocks are such "final status issues" as borders and control of Jerusalem.
In a weeklong series of European forums, Powell has stressed that the Bush administration wants to repair relations with its European allies. But differing views on how to resolve the Israeli-Palestinian conflict continue to complicate the relationship.
Europeans say that Israel's prime minister, Ariel Sharon, wants to freeze the process and consolidate his hold on the West Bank after Israeli troops leave Gaza. U.S. officials argue that the Gaza withdrawal -- which Sharon first proposed it a year ago as a unilateral action -- is part of the plan of reciprocal steps known as the road map.
The Dutch foreign minister, Bernard R. Bot, who hosted the meeting because the Netherlands currently holds the E.U.'s rotating presidency, said European officials discussed with Powell the need to "think about final status and how to deal with it."
Powell's response was that "you can't leap ahead" until "you have created the bonds of trust" needed for negotiations. Powell outlined a series of specific steps that he said were needed first, including a Palestinian election, a functioning Palestinian government and the closing of Israeli settlements in Gaza.
British officials are pushing to bring Israeli and Palestinian officials together at a conference in February, in an effort to convince Israel and the United States that Palestinians are capable of being a reliable negotiating partner. Powell said that the United States supported the British effort, but that he did not see it as prelude to final status talks.
Europeans have expressed skepticism that much progress can be made on President Bush's goal of promoting democracy in the Middle East unless the United States demonstrates it is trying to resolve the Palestinian issue. Powell, who is scheduled to attend a democracy forum in Rabat, Morocco, on Saturday, rejected that view Friday.
"We can't keep pointing to the Middle East peace process as the reason we don't undertake reform efforts," Powell told reporters traveling with him.
