Washington – Nine days after suggesting that a U.N. Security Council resolution aimed at quelling Mideast fighting was close at hand, Secretary of State Condoleezza Rice canceled a trip to the U.N. on Wednesday as significant differences remained between Washington and its allies over how to achieve a cease-fire.
The key sticking point, especially between the U.S. and France, centers on the details of an Israeli withdrawal from southern Lebanon, an issue that did not appear close to resolution as Israeli officials approved a plan to expand their ground offensive against Hezbollah guerrillas.
Although U.S. officials have generally avoided discussing the details of their negotiations, Rice said on July 31 that the ground was prepared for an “urgent and comprehensive” resolution to be passed within a week. National Security Adviser Steven Hadley said Sunday that U.S. officials hoped for a vote by Tuesday morning.
By Wednesday, after Rice’s entourage canceled reservations for a block of rooms at a Manhattan hotel, the growing frustration was clear among top U.S. officials.
Rice had expected to help wrap up negotiations on the resolution in New York.
Asked during a news briefing at President Bush’s ranch in Texas whether the diplomatic process was dragging on too long, White House press secretary Tony Snow said, “The diplomatic process never drags on too short, in most of our experiences. So, you know, it is what it is.”
State Department spokesman Sean McCormack quoted former Secretary of State Colin Powell, who once said the Franco-American relationship has been “in marriage counseling for 200 years.”
In addition, after administration officials had said for at least five days that the United States and its allies were working from the same draft resolution at the U.N., McCormack on Wednesday indicated it was more complicated.
