WASHINGTON, April 11 (UPI) -- The Senate Majority Leader Thursday asked his colleagues not to make statements or consider resolutions that could endanger Secretary of State Colin Powell's Middle East diplomacy.
Sen. Tom Daschle, D-S.D., said that for Congress to consider resolutions concerning the ongoing war between Israel and its Palestinian minority could undermine Powell's efforts.
"I think that we really need to be appreciative of the very difficult situation that Secretary Powell finds himself in today," Daschle told reporters. "There are many ideas that may deserve some consideration at some point. But I think it's critical for us to be as supportive of his effort, not to compound his difficulty. I think ... for the Congress the less said the better. I think that we don't need to speak with multiple voices here on this particular issue at this particular time. There will be plenty of time for us to speak out, plenty of time for us to express ourselves and to offer, perhaps, alternative ideas."
Daschle, who insisted that he had not actually ordered people in his caucus not to offer resolutions, said that he thought that any major public statement by members of Congress, or a resolution condemning one side or the other, might make it more difficult for Powell to succeed on his current trip to the Middle East.
"I'm not saying we shouldn't speak out," he said. "I think the stakes are going to be every bit as high after the Powell mission. I just think that right now, while Secretary Powell is in the Middle East talking to all sides, I just don't want him to have to explain what I said or what somebody else said in the heat of debate in the consideration of a resolution on the Senate floor. I don't think that assists or simplifies his already extremely complex challenge."
Daschle was asked about the possibility of the Senate considering a resolution proposed by Sens. Dianne Feinstein, D-Calif., and Mitch McConnell, R-Ky., to brand Palestinian Authority Leader Yassir Arafat and his organization as terrorists. In the House, Rep. Tom Lantos, D-Calif., has also circulated a resolution that would express support for Israel, while condemning Arafat.
But although Daschle said there would be a time to make decisions on such resolutions, to do so while Powell was actually conducting negotiations could limit his effectiveness.
"I think we need to be very careful about making declarations at this point," he said. "These are very, very sensitive talks, very high-stakes negotiations. As well intended as I think some might be, I think we've got to be very concerned about sending messages that are counterproductive as we attempt to try to find some peaceful resolution here."
