Political India: Engaging America

From The Hindu

Tripartite talks among the Israelis, Palestinians and the United States are under way in Washington, with Secretary of State Hillary Clinton holding a bilateral meeting with Palestinian Authority President Mahmoud Abbas on Tuesday and Israeli Prime Minister Benjamin Netanyahu on Wednesday. Ms. Clinton also met Quartet representative Tony Blair.

Though no statements came out of Ms. Clinton's bilateral discussion with Mr. Abbas, her talks with Mr. Netanyahu were preceded by condemnation by both leaders of the killing of four Israelis near the West Bank city of Hebron. The Israelis, among whom one was said to be a pregnant, were killed after their vehicle came under fire from unidentified gunmen. The LA Times reported that Hamas took responsibility for the attack.

In a statement following his “productive discussion” with Mr. Netanyahu, President Barack Obama also criticised the extremists and rejectionists who he said sought to undermine the talks. He added that the U.S. would be “unwavering in its support of Israel’s security,” and push back against such terrorist activities. Mr. Obama also noted that President Abbas, who he met on Wednesday afternoon, had “condemned this outrageous attack, as well.” He said he had the utmost confidence in Mr. Abbas and his belief in a two-state solution.

State Department officials expressed hope that the discussions would lead to progress.Special Envoy for Middle East (West Asia) Peace Senator George Mitchell said: “I believe that it is an awareness [of the] realities by the two leaders... that there is a window of opportunity... within which there remains the possibility of achieving the two-state solution.” He said though such a reality may be difficult for both leaders, the alternatives posed far greater problems.

Mr. Mitchell said the U.S. would play an “active and sustained role in the process,” though that did “not mean that the U.S. must be physically represented in every single meeting”.

American officials also noted they did not expect Hamas to play a role in “this immediate process”. However, they welcomed Hamas' full participation “once they comply with the basic requirements of democracy and nonviolence”..

President Barack Obama spent most of Wednesday holding bilateral meetings with the various assembled leaders, including Mr. Netanyahu, Mr. Abbas, King Abdullah II of Jordan and President Hosni Mubarak of Egypt.

Labels: Palestine Israel peace talks, West Asia

From The Hindu

After months of stalling, the Middle East peace process received a shot in the arm this week when the United States announced that it would be hosting talks between the leaders of Palestine and Israel in Washington in September.

In a statement Secretary of State Hillary Clinton said, “After proximity talks and consultations with both sides, on behalf of the U.S. government, I have invited Israeli Prime Minister Netanyahu and Palestinian Authority President Abbas to meet on 02 September in Washington, D.C., to re-launch direct negotiations to resolve all final status issues, which we believe can be completed within one year.”

Prospects for peace ground to a halt in March this year when, even as Vice-President Joe Biden was in the region to facilitate direct talks, Israel’s Interior Ministry announced that permission had been granted for 1,600 new housing units in East Jerusalem. At the time, a war of words ensued between Israel and the U.S., with Mr. Biden saying, “I condemn the decision by the government of Israel to advance planning for new housing units in East Jerusalem.”

Optimistic over negotiations

However, expressing optimism regarding next month’s negotiations, Ms. Clinton said that President Barack Obama and she were encouraged by the leadership of Prime Minister Netanyahu and President Abbas and shared their commitment to a two-state solution.

Secretary Clinton also emphasised that President Obama had invited President Hosni Mubarak of Egypt and King Abdullah of Jordan to attend the talks in Washington, given their critical role in this effort. She said that Mr. Obama would hold bilateral meetings with the four leaders followed by a dinner with them on 01 September.

Blair to join dinner

Further, Ms. Clinton said, Quartet Representative Tony Blair had also been invited to the dinner in view of his important work in helping Palestinians build the institutions of their future state, “an effort which must continue during the negotiations”.

Mr. Netanyahu and Mr. Abbas are then scheduled to join Ms. Clinton at the State Department on 02 September for a trilateral meeting to re-launch direct negotiations. On that effort, Ms. Clinton noted that there had been difficulties in the past and there would be difficulties ahead and, “without a doubt, we will hit more obstacles”.

Yet, she pleaded, “I ask the parties to persevere, to keep moving forward even through difficult times, and to continue working to achieve a just and lasting peace in the region.” These negotiations should take place without preconditions and be characterised by good faith, she said.

Labels: Gaza, Hillary Clinton, Isarel-Palestine conflict, Palestine Israel peace talks