Palestinian uprising should end: Powell

Published September 30, 2004

DUBAI, Sept 29: US Secretary of State Colin Powell said on Wednesday that Palestinians should end the four-year-old uprising revolt because it was "spreading terrorism" and hindering the creation of an independent Palestinian state.

"It is time to end the uprising. We want a Palestinian state. The (US) president wants the establishment of a Palestinian state for the Palestinian people which exists side by side with Israel," Mr Powell told Arab satellite television Al Jazeera.

"This will only happen when terrorism ends. But the uprising has helped spread terrorism and has not accomplished anything during these years except adding to the deterioration of the Palestinian economic situation and the deterioration of living conditions," Mr Powell said. "The uprising has prevented us from achieving progress in several peace plans." -Reuters