Powell concerned about attack

SOUTHERN SHUNEH, Jordan -- Secretary of State Colin Powell said Sunday the killing of a Hamas leader by Israel could set back the U.S.-backed peace initiative for the region.\nPowell said he was concerned about Saturday's shooting by the Israeli army of Abdullah Kawasme in the West Bank town of Hebron, but the U.S. official stopped short of condemning the act because he lacked details.\nPowell has said Israel is justified in going after "ticking bombs" -- militants preparing to commit a terrorist act. On the other hand, he has said Israel should show restraint in situations that do not meet those criteria.\n"We can't allow ourselves to be stopped because of these incidents," Powell told a news conference.\nHe was joined by three other members of the group that developed the blueprint for Middle East peace: U.N. Secretary-General Kofi Annan, Russian Foreign Minister Igor Ivanov and Greek Foreign Minister George Papandreou, whose country heads the European Union's rotating presidency.\nThe four talked for more than an hour before they met with reporters. Their prime purpose in coming to this Dead Sea resort town was to attend a conference of the World Economic Forum.\nAnnan said the two sides should pursue political, humanitarian and security objectives at the same time.\nHe implored Israel not to engage in extrajudicial killings and said the Palestinian militants "must cease acts of terror against the Israeli people."\nThe group's chief concern is that unprovoked Israeli attacks against Palestinian leaders could undermine the efforts of the Palestinian prime minister, Mahmoud Abbas, to persuade militant groups to agree to a cease-fire.\nIsrael's prime minister, Ariel Sharon, said Sunday that security forces would continue tracking Palestinian militants if the Palestinian Authority does not crack down on violent groups. Hamas leaders pledged to avenge the latest killing of a top militant.\nPowell noted the progress by Israel and the Palestinians in putting in place the road map, as the peace plan is known.\nHe said Israel has begun dismantling unauthorized outposts set up by Israeli citizens in the territories. He also praised the "new seriousness" of the Palestinian side in negotiating security issues with Israel.\n"Both sides are committed to moving forward because, what is the alternative?" Powell asked.\nThe plan seeks to end 33 months of violence and establish a Palestinian state by 2005. In the first stage of the road map, the Palestinians must dismantle armed groups. Israel must freeze Jewish settlement-building and gradually withdraw to positions held before the outbreak of fighting in September 2000.