netanyahu, meets george mitchell, president obama's middle this convoy. what is important on the european front is what happens with iran because britain and germany, where mr. netanyahu will also be, have been one of the countries taking the lead on that particular subject. britain it is a permanent member of the security council of the u.n., so it is significant. in the diplomatic process, which has been driven by the security council. >> and jeremy, on iran, what do you think >> and allen is going to want from the likes of gordon brown? >> i think he made it very clear already. he is going to want the strongest possible sanctions to, first of all, punish the regime in iran. but more specifically, to dissuade them from continuing with their nuclear enrichment process. and ultimately mr. netanyahu and others, including gordon brown, believe they're trying to get nuclear weapons. >> just go back on the settlements issue, do you see by the time nekton and no need george mitchell, d think there is any leeway or room for maneuver? >> let us look at the objec

middle east envoy george mitchell. the two men and the two nations they reprent have been searching for months now for a way to resolve their differences over israeli settlements in the west bank. the u.s. has been pushing hard for an israeli settlement freeze, and the palestinians are refusing to restart peace talks until israel halts all construction there. despite their failure to reach agreement again today, the two sides will resume talks in washington next week. both men tried to put the best face on today's talks. >> we' headway in the past five months. my government has taken several steps both of word and deed to advance course of peace. and i hope that today and in the coming weeks, we can move that process forward. >> the american commitment to israel's security is firm and unshakeable. and we appreciate the opportunity to discuss with you, ways by which we can move toward our common objective which is a comprehensive peace in the middle east. >> we are going to try to make sense of this important story toni

he has been meeting the special envoy to the middle east, george mitchell in london. talks are aimed at finalizing conditions for the restart of the middle east peace process. president obama is seeking a middle east breakthrough by the end of next month. he has called on the freeze of all israeli settlements. our middle east correspondent. >> the spokesman has been giving a briefing. he said i think we will get a bridging formula. that is code for they will make some kind of agreement. it will enable them to restart talks between the palestinians and the israelis. we should not get too excited about what is calling on here. that's what they're talking about. these are all talks about talks. if they are successful, they're hoping that israelis and palestinians will once again get around the table. it is all building up. it's all building up to the next moves in president obama's attempts to try to bring peace to the middle east. >> that was our middle east editor talking about the meeting in central london. the palestinian government media office. what do you make of

george mitchell brought in as special envoy taking up some of her jurisdiction.nvoy taking up some of her jurisdiction. now you have a crisis where you're going to do a mission like this and her husband comes in. is the imagery here working against hillary clinton? or is this just showing that she's a good team player? >> i don't think the imagery is working against her. but again, what you hear is there's a little bit of confusion in the foreign policy shop. general jones in the white house, the envoys that you mentioned -- george mitchell in the middle east, bik holbrook in afghanistan, the secretary of state herself, and now her husband out there on the trail. where i think, you know, he's a terrific ex-president. along with president george h.w. bush. he's been terrific, and hopefully appearances aside, he'll only continue to do better things and play a bigger role. >> do you get the sense from anyone in the former clinton campaign they're worried about any of this imagery around her? >> no, they're not. here the president was doing a specific job. you can sa

but these hot-spots all over the globe, these seasoned elder statesman men, from ho holbrook to george mitchell> anybody who t thinks that hillary clinton is not in on the policy of this administration, doesn't know hillary and doesn't know the administration. i love the notion that instead of having a secretary of state that sits there, and worries over these spots, she has agents out at these spots. and i also don't believe, i believe it is much too early, to write her off as no john foster dulles. this woman has such personal and imuintellectual power, that when she starts to fill that office you will know. >> i don't know, i think it will be a big leap to say that the country will see that type leadership again. but i would not discount her ability to come out as a very strong leader, especially when you compare that t the situation and kind of the political falls, pitfalls of president obama. she may come out very strong in the end. >> well a lot of people think that obama has been so smart about keeping in that, there's somebody keeping her in her place by having all these other envoys ac

she wanted to go to africa and she says look, i got powerful envoys like richard holbrook and george mitchell working in pakistan and israel full-time which enables me to go with my press on an 11-day trip to africa. certainly it's a new kind of diplomacy that we haven't seen before. >> based on what you saw in the trip, can you fill in more of the blanks on how she operates as secretary of state? >> but what we do know is he has been surprised at how bad things have gotten in afghanistan. along with all of his aides. they think things have degraded further than he anticipated. so i think what's happened here is he brought in a lot of outside the box thirst. people when they come back and leave government service, temporary government service to commission us to take part in this report, they're speaking freely to the press and we're getting from them the fact that more troops are needed and that's their recommendation to him. i don't think he's off message but i think the timing has gotten skewed here with this whole debate about health care and gates and let's not talk about troop levels ye

i think it is the fact that you have richard holbrooke in charge of afghanistan and pakistan, george mitchell in charge of the middle east, envoys here and there, and her husband that is the hero out of korea, and she is in the condo. -- congo. obama besides the world in every european capital, and she is kinhasa. i'm sure it is a lovely spot. actually, it is a hell hole. she is given africa, which on the skill of american national interest, fortunately or unfortunately, it is at the bottom. she has been heavily marginalized. in the six months of this administration, as she proposed a policy or given a speech or made a trip of any high importance? the answer is no. it is all being done by others. >> you can overstate that. she and paul barker actually pars. -- she and richard holbrooke are actually part hours. he is not pushing her around. >> but if you are secretary of state, kissinger or george shultz, you are the guy makes policy. you are the guys who ends up in beijing, not richard holbrooke. >> she and richard holbrooke -- i agree with evan on this -- richard holbrooke was a strong suppo

i think it is about the fa is you have richard holbrooke in charge of afghastan and pakistan, george mitchell in charge of the middle east, envoys here and there, or husband thais the hero of korea,nd she is in the ongo. obama the stdes t world, speaking in thgreat eopean capil, and she is in kinsha. would you be upset? i am sure kinsha -- is alw pleas by -- kshasa is a lovely spot -- actually, it is a hell hole. she is given africa. she has been heavy marginalizedead in the six months of this ainistration, as she proposed a policy, given a speech, or made a trip of any high importance? the answer is . it is all being done bothers. >> you can overste that. she and richardolbrooke our partners. richard holbrooke is not pushing her around. that is a pretty equalatch. >> but if you are secretaryf ate, kissinger george shtz, you are the guy who makes policy. you are the guy who en up in beijing, not richard holbrooke and you stuck in kinshasa. >> i agree with evann this -- richard horooke was a strong supporter of furs, and he did not get that job over h objecons or resistance. i wou say that thi

>> preside obama is colcting inrmation and he sent georg mitchell number oftimes an conferd with us during each time we explained our position and each time he ces to cairo. hevisited syria, he vited saudi abia, other countries. and this is to grasp the issues whichis a good thing. it's mu beer than takin a decisionwithout listing t the country'soncern. itight damage these couries, itight as wel damage the retation of and image the ited stas. andhis is what happened. the was the decision to goo iraq. and that spite the fact there was no mass destruction apons. d goingo afghanistan as well. russia stayed eight years in afghanistan. however, russia did not achieve ything and the russians admitted that fact. there was a ntleman from the russian position came me and id they stayed with all kinds weapons f eight years in afghanistan without achieving a thin so, so, and wait until we see what e americanschieve. and i often repeated that t the u.s. administration was adamant on something decided apriory. >> crlie: do you think that they should get out of afghanistan. >> if i canay t following. ir

>> president obama is collecting information and he sent george mitchell a number of times and he conferred with us during each time we explained our position and each time he comes to cairo. he visited syria, he visited saudi arabia, other countries. and this is to grasp the issues which is a good thing. it's much better than taking a decision without listening to the country's concern. it might damage these countries, it might as well damage the reputation of and image of the united states. and this is what happened. there was the decision to go to iraq. and that despite the fact there was no mass destruction weapons. and going to afghanistan as well. russia stayed eight years in afghanistan. however, russia did not achieve anything and the russians admitted that fact. there was a gentleman from the russian position came to me and said they stayed with all kinds of weapons for eight years in afghanistan without achieving a thing. so, so, and wait until we see what the americans achieve. and i often repeated that but the u.s. administration was adamant on something decided apriory. >> char

obama quickly appointed a man on the issue, former senator george mitchell, who had negotiated the peace accords in the islands. it is considered by some to be the most right wing in memory, as is the new government. the prime minister netanyahu had been fiercely critical of any kind of palestinian state. his former minister had called for what some had characterized as leaders from israel. obama and netanyahu have clashd to expand settlements over the west bank. there has been some forward movement. he did accept the idea of a palestinian state about a month ago. there were some caveats. on the palestinian side, they are becoming somewhat less corrupt and more competent. they seem to have less support, even in gaza, where talks continue to be hellish. isn't the real story not these talks with the palestinians but military action against iran? the former u.n. ambassador john bolton predicted last week that sometime they would. they have cautioned that an isra israeli attack on iran could be detrimental. we ask him about all of this. let's get started. >>> and now i welcome michael oren,

appointed a man on the issue, appointed a man on the issue, a man of integrity, former senator george mitchell, who had negotiated the peace accords in ireland. it is considered by some to be the most right wing in memory, as is the new government. the prime minister netanyahu had been fiercely critical of any kind of palestinian state. his foreign minister had previously called for what some had characterized as leaders from israel. obama and netanyahu have clashed to expand settlements over the west bank. there has been some forward movement. prime minister netanyahu did accept the idea of a palestinian state about a month ago. there were some caveats. on the palestinian side, some positive news. the palestinian authority is becoming somewhat less corrupt and more competent. hamas seems to be losing some support, even in gaza, where living conditions continue to be hellish. will the steps make a difference, piece talks possible? isn't the real story not the peace talks with the palestinians but military action against iran? the former u.n. ambassador john bolton predicted last week that by t

>> the efforts and the discussions of george mitchell and the secretary, this is precisely the right course. we are not there yet. we still have to put together the conditions that allow us to call for negotiations to resume. on the one hand, we still have work to do, but on the other hand, we think that progress is being made. >> why didn't the state department issue some kind of statement criticizing the united nations and the british? >> you've heard from the secretary. >> that was because she was asked. secretary feldman was on the phone. we are, in fact, in close communication with the israelis and we have conveyed our deep concern. do you believe there is any connection to the meeting? they are certainly going to raise this in a way that will make israel question that the did not have a partner -- that they do not have a partner? >> i had a question. i just was wondering what the policy is towards the interim government and honduras? does the state department have a policy with the country of honduras? what we continue to encourage both the president and the regime to accept th

american envoy george mitchell met today for four hours with israeli prime minister netanyahu.istan, rescue workers were pulling people out of the rubble today following a deadly explosion tuesday night in kandahar. the intear your ministry says at least 43 died in what was believed to be a remote-controlled truck bombing. the taliban is denying responsibility n moscow, russian prime minister vladimir putin told government officials today they need to do something to fix the country's crumbling infrastructure. putin will return friday to the scene of last week's hydroelectric plant accident in syberia. dana lewis reports that accident may have just been the beginning. >> in siberia, the site of russia's largest hydroelectric dam, they are still searching for missing work hes in the flooded turbine hole. more than 70 are dead and all russian authorities will acknowledge is it was some sort of technical tragic problem. but here's what has also surfaced -- as far back as 1988, russian authorities were warned the dam had fallen into neglect and disrepair t was already unsafe 21 yea

you have george mitchell in the middle east. here and there, and she is the secretary of state and sitting in the congo, in the congo? you have petraeus running afghanistan. you have odierno running iraq. she is totally marginalized. i'm sure it is a great city. in fact, it's not, but the congo, africa are very low on the scale of importance for interests are of the united states. she is supposed to be the president of the united states at this point. she was going to be queen of the world. instead, obama strides the world and gives speeches in the great capitals in cairo and she is in congo. you would be upset, also. look, i would appeal to the jury on this and say i would acquit her on grounds of extreme provocation. she has been march nallized, and that's one reason why her numbers are good. her poll numbers are good, because she hasn't been doing anything. bret: in fact, when you look at the poll numbers, mort, she polls better than president obama does. you see the approval at 59%, dpee pending on the poll, and the presiden

she couldn't travel everywhere and do the intensive diplomacy george mitchell has been every other dayo the middle east. that kind of work cannot be done by the secretary of state if you're going to deal with everything else going on, so that was her choice. i think that there is an argument that could be made that a lot of the big policy questions are now moving towards the white house. that is natural. it is the president of the united states who makes these decisions. janet ross has moved over there and certainly on iran policy the president is deciding what's going to happen on iran. hillary clinton and joe biden reportedly wanted a much tougher stance after the election than did the president. ultimately he was the one who made that decision with his advisers. i think you're seeing a much more powerful security council now but here in nairobi today hillary clinton really took on the leaders. there were very tough talks about the corruption, about the fact they're not proceeding with trials, that they didn't agree to go to the international tribunal in the hague about the horrendou

. >> george mitchell, ted kennedy, all working on it and eventually came wup tup with the agreement.e'll bring in wisconsin democratic senator russ feingold. thanks very much for being with us. what are you thinking this morning when you consider the passing of this icon of federal government, the lion of the senate? >> i'm feeling deep sadness. i'm also feeling deep affection for senator kennedy. he was my hero before i came to the united states senate but then i got to know him personally and it is absolutely true that every one of us really enjoyed him as a person. his humor was incredible. he'd light up a room. the senate can be a drab place. this guy had a personality you wouldn't believe and i don't think anybody worked harder in the united states senate. he was a work horse in the senate. i think he's one of the three or four greatest senators in american history, so it's a very sobering thing to think of a senate and a country without ted kennedy. >> the other thing we know you were a close friend of his as well besides being a colleague in the senate. you saw this coming. yo

that the talks that president obama has called in washington are important, and i think that george mitchell has done a great amount of work in the region. >> one of the problems is in gaza and the fact that there is very limited access. some have said is like -- almost like a prison in the sense that people cannot get in and out. tony blair said that businessmen had not been able to leave gaza for several months, until he managed to make arrangements for that to happen. now, clearly, there are real difficulties. how can we get better access through the border crossings into gaza? >> that has been the difficulty since the conflict. a large number of efforts have been made by meat and other people of persuasion -- by me and other people. i believe he has spent a great deal of time dealing with the number of these issues. there's a common view that we need access, that gaza has to be able to operate economically and we have to persuade people that is the right thing to do. >> as long as gaza is under the control of hamas, and there is the west bank under control of the palestinian authority, i

proving to be quite successful where people like richard holbrooke on afghanistan and pakistan and george mitchell, and it has been used by presidents in the past. whether by design or by accident, the obama administration seems to have played north korea just about right. largely ignoring them for the first eight months. not rewarding their bad behavior. not reacting to their provocative statements or actions. and now about two months of relatively quiet, moderate north korean behavior and the involvement of china -- you heard the secretary of state praise china just a couple of weeks ago -- you now send in a real power player to hopefully negotiate the release of the journalists who never should have been arrested in the first -- the first place and help reset u.s./north korean relations, refreezing that nuclear program. and if things work out, we could see the beginning, again, of the dismantlement of that nuclear program. >> well, stand by for breaking news. we'd like to see that in addition to this power player bring home two journalists. always good to talk to you. thanks, joe. >> my pleasur

on wednesday to immediate with george mitchell. the top of the aagain da will be the thorny issue of settlement construction. >>> when sex offenders get out of prison restrictions on where they can live leave them no place to call home. we will talk to one man about that and how he is solving the dilemma with a website. we'll have more about that. x@ >> shannon: hurricane bill has breezed past new england. it is the bottom of the hour. caroline shively is standing by with the top of the news. hi, caroline. >> hurricane bill pounced off the new england coast early this morning, bringing strong winds to parts of massachusetts. apart from some beach erosion and dangerous rip currents, damage was minimal and skies are expected to clear out the next few days. >>> delayed by hurricane bill for a few hours this morning, president obama and the first family are getting ready to head to marthas this vineyard for a week long vacation. the president is largely expected to stay out of the media spot light during his stay. >>> despite its pop

he met with his british counterpart and will see george mitchell tomorrow.aning coalition against the international consensus of opposing settlement. the palestinians want a settlement before starting talks. >>> they say 41 people were killed and dozens more injured in a car bombing. that explosion happened in front of a japanese construction company that primarily employs afghan and pakistani workers. a witness says it was so intense that it shattered windows and homes half a mile away. a california teacher is being hailed a hero today. he said he had no time to think before tackling and subduing a former student who had entered the school armed with ten pipe bombs, a sword and even a chainsaw. >> it was a reaction. it was really quick. there wasn't -- after i had my hands on him, i made decisions about what i wanted to do but the distance and grabbing the young man, there wasn't a lot of thinking involved in that. >> i guess it was a good thing it happened. the 17-year-old suspect is now in juvenile custody. it is one of the situations where you act first

george mitchell has been back and forth repeatedly.heading back out there next week, and my hope is that we are going to see not just a movement from the israelis but also from the palestinians around issues of incitement and security, from arab states that showed their willingness to engage israel. if all sides are willing to move off of the rut that we are in currently, and then i think there is an extraordinary opportunity to make real progress, but we are not there yet. i am encouraged by some of the things i am seeing on the ground. we have been seen reports, in the west bank in particular, that checkpoints have been removed in some situations, the security forces of the palestinian authority have greatly improved and have been able to deal with the security situation on the west bank that in a way that has inspired not just confidence among the israeli people but also among the palestinian people. there has been some increase economic activity on the west bank. all of this is creating a climate in which it is possible for us to s

george mitchell has been back and forth repeatedly. he will be heading back out there next week. and my hope is that we're going to save, not just movement from the israelis, but also the palestinians are around issues of incitement and security, from arab states that showed their willingness to engage israel. if all sides are willing to move off of the rut that we aren't currently, then there is an extraordinary opportunity to make real progress. but we are not there yet. but i am encouraged by some of the things that we are seeing on the ground. we have been seen reports in the west bank in particular that checkpoints have been removed in some situations. the security forces from the palestinian authority have greatly improved and have been able to deal with the security situation on the west bank in a way that has inspired not just confidence among the israeli people but also among the palestinian people. there has been some increased economic activity on the west bank. all of this is creating a climate in which it is possible for us to see some possible -- to see some positiv

special middle east on boy george mitchell released a statement today praising progress on the peaceprogress. more about that now with the state department spokesman ian kellee. he begins with a statement on the death of ted kennedy. this is a half-hour. >> ok. good afternoon. welcome again to the state department on this fine august day. i would like to recognize the professor of my almaguer -- the president of my armor -- my alma mater. unfindable large college. i highly recommend it if anyone is looking for it. -- a fine college. i highly recommend it. senator kennedy -- you will note that she said that his legacy will live on in the hearts and minds of millions of americans who are freer, healthier, and more prosperous because of his efforts. the work goes on, the cause indoors, the hopes still lives, and a dream shall never die. we have statements from special envoy mitchell, who knew senator kennedy very well. in addition, a statement from our ambassador to india that we're also going to forward. but those brief remarks, i will take questions. >> can you elaborate at all on the

so he could turn into what carter did during his day, george mitchell did during his day. >> that wouldd. it would be an assignment that would help consumers would be lower open prices. remember, as the dollar weakens, american companies and foreigners are taking their money out of the u.s., to get away from the weakening dollar. one of the thing i'll propose to president clinton is that he intermediatate this weak dollar policy that has been in the bush and now obama administration. remember, clinton presided over a stronger dollar. that was better for the u.s. and maybe he could fix that problem, too. >> whose plane is that? who paid? >> it's just identified as clinton's private plane, an unmarked plane. >> i think it's a boeing -- we're getting some e-mailers writing in that they're looking at the tail number and, you know, obviously -- i haven't confirmed it, but i wonder whose plane it is, because obviously it's a pretty big price tag on that, and i don't think the obama administration paid for it. >> hard to say. >> could have been donated. >> could have been, i think it was. >> d

george mitchell gets the palestinians and israelis. oday, there is no power left. and then for hillary, her trip to africa, building on a strong foundation established by president george w. bush, it's an admirable ambitious trip. seven countries, 11 days, she finally has her moment in the limelight and right at the start or husband goes to korea steals the headlines by bringing back to journalists. i think she's terribly frustrated because hillary is a talented hard-working woman. she's in the wrong job soon and route, you don't think it's just that she saw the question is being sexist, you think that behind the scenes she's actually being marginalized? that she is marginalized. she has no real power. she thought she would at least be able to have the africa portfolio and do this. and eagles are big and washington. she is talented but she has a big ego, and her husband smacked her down by the korea trip, and i think she's very frustrated. it is easy to knock hillary and she is hard-working. she is bright. she did a really good hard-wor

we flew to teterboro with george mitchell, myself, jay rockefeller, ted kennedy and hawkins.limousines were waiting for us, drivers from across the river, the g.w. bridge, the parkway to the waldorf and we were the last car. teddy and i were together. he was joking with me, you know, i've really fallen into the low life here with a freshman senator. he said, i see you're having trouble with the catholic church and i was at the time. the first time i was ex commune communicated -- and just as soon as he said it it was like god shut our car down. the power all went out and he sprung into action. okay, bob, you go behind us. we have to get to the waldorf. there's a van behind us. you see if he'll give us a ride. i'll check the guy in front. the guy looked like buffalo bob in "silence of the lambs" and the guy in front purple car and teddy's in the front seat with him and he's from puerto rico and they're speaking spanish and exchanging phone numbers all the way down to the waldorf but that's who he was. he treated people with respect and it allowed him to become the best member

mitchell, bird -- senator burr and also the three that you mentioned and i think we would agree george mitchell was just nav of his own who could better extemporaneous speech? i don't know he did such a great job and he speaks for himself but i did not have a lot of dealings with leader dole but he was always good to me. but trent lott i have a lot of dealings with him. you gave me complete freedom on the floor so i made a lot of compromises with senator lott that i would take to you for approval i found him to be a joy to work with. a card carrying conservative and pragmatic and wanted to get things done. now i am working with senator mcconnell, senator frist i talk about and in some detail in my book. the doctor is a wonderful man but did not have the experience to be the leader. the first time in history that president bush said you will be the leader it never happened before and he was not ready frankly all of those before were experienced legislators a great family and wonderful human being by told you about his shortcomings. working with mitch mcconnell now he is a very nice man but i thi

george mitchell has been back and forth repeatedly. he will be heading back out there next week.y hope is that we're going to save not just movement from the israelis, but also from the palestinians around issues of incitement and security, from arab states that showed their willingness to engage israel -- get all sides are willing to move off of the rut that we aren't currently, then i think there is an extraordinary opportunity to make real progress. but we are not there yet. i am encouraged by some of the things that i am saying on the ground. we have been seeing reports in the west bank in particular that checkpoints have been removed in some situations. the security forces of the palestinian authority have greatly improved and have been able to deal with the security situation on the west bank in a way that has inspired not just confidence among the israeli people, but also among the palestinian people. there has been some increased economic activity on the west bank. all of this is creating a climate in which it is possible for us to see some positive steps, and hopefully n

of course, you can catch andrea live from kenya on msnbc's "andrea mitchell reports" later on today at 1:00 p.m. peggy noonan, george other people are critical of a lot of his foreign policy goals and aims but in africa as she said he built quite a base in africa for barack obama and other american presidents to build on while our approval ratings were plummeting across the globe in afterry ka we were actually becoming more popular. >> it's true. he took interest in afterry ka. he led a movement of new generosity towards africa. bringing up particular credibility and particular toughness. he's looking at africa saying you have to clean up your governments. you have to get serious. you cannot be blaming the rest of the world for all of your problems. i mean, obama just about literally said that to him in a speech on one of his world tours in the past few months. i think that's the way to go. i think it is impressive. i think mrs. clinton is doing the right stuff in her toughness towards kenya and good stuff. good. >> george w. bush handed africa the carrot and now obama the stick. >> it comes together. good governanc