Every once in a while, the Associated Press’s Acme Scare Quote Generator (patent pending) seems to go on the fritz; maybe it’s wearing out from overuse: Powell Demands Abbas Stop Terrorists.

WASHINGTON - Faced with a sudden setback to Middle East peace prospects, Secretary of State Colin Powell insisted Friday that new Palestinian leader Mahmoud Abbas bring under control terror groups that are killing Israelis.

“He’s got to get those terrorists under control,” Powell said after six Israelis were killed in a bombing and shooting attack at a Gaza crossing. Israeli Prime Minister Ariel Sharon responded by cutting all contact with Abbas.

“I hope that’s just a temporary breach,” Powell said in an interview with Michael Reagan on the Radio America Network.

The terrorists are not going to destroy Israel. “It’s not going to accomplish anything. It hasn’t accomplished anything,” Powell said.