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Clinton again tries to calm Arab fears about US commitment to Mideast peace

November 03, 2009 1:49 PM

Abc_kirit_radia_090309_mn ABC News' Kirit Radia reports:

Secretary of State Hillary Clinton addressed the Forum of the Future today in Morocco and again sought to temper Arab anxiety over a perceived softening of the Obama administration’s insistence that Israel halt settlements before peace talks resume.

“I also want to make clear that the United States is committed to a comprehensive peace in the Middle East.  I know this is a matter that is of grave and pervasive concern among the countries represented here, but even far beyond this region,” she told the gathering of leaders.

“We are committed to a two-state solution, and we are determined and persistent in the pursuit of that goal.  It is important that we all work toward that objective.  And I think that does require that all parties should be careful about what we say, the kind of recriminations that are so understandable, but we need to work together in a constructive spirit toward this shared goal of a comprehensive peace,” Clinton added.

Her remarks come as Arab leaders have raised concerns that the US is backing down from a demand that Israel halt all settlement activity. Clinton met with regional leaders yesterday after meeting with Israeli Prime Minister Benjamin Netanyahu and Palestinian Authority President Mahmoud Abbas over the weekend.

During her meeting with the Israeli leader, Clinton praised his offer on settlements, which would freeze new construction but allow already started projects to continue, as “unprecedented.” She did not, however, push him to adhere to the complete freeze she had insisted upon in the past, causing many in the region to question whether the US had dropped the demand.

Since then Clinton has sought to reassure Arab leaders, repeating the praise for Netanyahu’s offer yesterday but stating clearly that it falls short of US goals. In interviews today with al Jazeera and al Hurra, Clinton has reiterated that message.

Today Clinton tacked on an extra stop to her trip. She’s now in Egypt, a country who, along with Jordan, issued a statement on Sunday in defense of Palestinian efforts after Clinton’s remarks with Netanyahu.
During her remarks to the forum today, Clinton also urged the countries in attendance to do what they can to bring about peace.

“As leaders of countries that have a direct stake and care deeply about all of the final status issues that must be resolved, I would just ask you to think about how we can each demonstrate the commitment that is necessary for us to go forward,” she said.

-- Kirit Radia

November 3, 2009 in Clinton, Hillary, Current Affairs, Middle East Peace Process | Permalink | Share | User Comments (19)

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Good thing that SoS Clinton announced that she supports an Israeli capital in EAST Jerusalem. Yes, that's correct, the Palestinian side.

I'm sure this blunder was very reassuring to the Arabs.

Posted by: Real Men of Foreign Policy Genius | Nov 4, 2009 3:05:55 PM

The Palestinians have a U.S. administration that is totally dedicated to establishing a Palestinian state and helping it to thrive. Obama and Clinton have given every indication they will push Israel to follow through if the Palestinians seize this opportunity. But once again the Palestinians are finding excuses not to talk and are on the verge of blowing yet another great opportunity.
I must say that I've never seen a people so intent on refusing their statehood. One can only deduce that the will to destroy Israel is stronger than the will to build their own state. And as long as you've got people like Carter, Brezinski, the U.N. and other morally confused folks in your corner what incentive do they have to settle for anything less?

Posted by: hopesprings52 | Nov 4, 2009 3:12:15 AM

When there is no trust, there will be no peace.
You must take some risk.
Both sides.
What makes the position of the palestines so strong that this opportunity will soon closed for ever. Never coming back.

Realise what today is possible, tomorrow
wil be again a dream-a dream for ever.
A dream-but- no more than a dream.

Posted by: Mat Hendriks | Nov 3, 2009 7:08:44 PM

Its beyond me how anyone would know who has scud missles or not. But Irael is trying awfully hard to live in pease and only retaliates not attack.

Posted by: earl | Nov 3, 2009 7:05:09 PM

"Israel has agreed to stop any new construction in the strip but will continue to finish what has already begun. But if you terroists send any scud missles they will retaliate as usual. "
________________________________

So, yes Israel is still building in the West Bank - Israel should never have been building housing complexes on land that is not theirs.

Also, Palestinians do not have scud missles.

Posted by: tierra | Nov 3, 2009 6:54:13 PM

Israel has agreed to stop any new construction in the strip but will continue to finish what has already begun. But if you terroists send any scud missles they will retaliate as usual. And it culd be as many as 100 to 1 we in the U.S. wish we could do the same to those cowards that attacked us.

Posted by: earl | Nov 3, 2009 6:47:08 PM

"Israel has wanted peace with the Palestinians - it even stopped building in the West Bank."
_____________________________________

Israel has not stopped building in the West Bank.

You'll have to get your facts if you expect anybody to take your posts as credible.

Posted by: tierra | Nov 3, 2009 4:39:10 PM

And Tierra, if you haven't already, I urge you to take a few minutes to listen to Prime Minister Benjamin Netanyahu's speech at the UN a month ago. In addition, read about the last skirmish between Israel and Hamas/Palestine. Who started the bombing? Who continued the bombing? Who warned the civilians? Who hid behind women and children civilians? Who are really the beasts?

Posted by: Jenny | Nov 3, 2009 4:28:51 PM

This is not a case of one side being 'evil' and the other side being god's chosen children.

This is a matter of behavior and Israel does nothing to make itself in any way 'better' by slaughtering 1400 people and destroying their homes, schools, water, sewage, etc.


Posted by: tierra | Nov 3, 2009 4:12:00 PM
*************
Israel has wanted peace with the Palestinians - it even stopped building in the West Bank. But have the Palestinians stopped killing and assaulting Israelis? Have they stopped threatening to wipe them off the face of the earth? Are Jews welcome in Arab countries? All they have left is Israel and their own country has been repeatedly bombed by the Palestinians and threatened by Iran. But are the Palestinians welcome in other Arab countries? Of course they are.

You are only looking at one side of the situation. Look at the Israeli side with open eyes. They want to live in their own land are are constantly threatened. They are protecting themselves against all the Islamic countries and peoples that want to wipe them out. How would you like to live like that? If you were Jewish, would you like to continually be persecuted like that?

Posted by: Jenny | Nov 3, 2009 4:23:30 PM

You are are the wrong side here.
_______________________________

In the last 'war' in the Gaza Strip, Palestinians killed 13 Israelis. That is THIRTEEN Israelis.Israel killed close to 1400 Palestinians (that is ONE THOUSAND, FOUR HUNDRED Palestinians), many civilians, many women and children - and destroyed massive amounts of infrastructure including water and sewage services, schools and so on . . .

------------------

This is not a case of one side being 'evil' and the other side being god's chosen children.

This is a matter of behavior and Israel does nothing to make itself in any way 'better' by slaughtering 1400 people and destroying their homes, schools, water, sewage, etc.

Posted by: tierra | Nov 3, 2009 4:12:00 PM

The West Bank is not in Israel and it is not their land. Do some research.

Posted by: tierra | Nov 3, 2009 4:01:48 PM
********
Take a break from your posting dear.

Posted by: Jenny | Nov 3, 2009 4:03:07 PM

Who exactly is doing the destroying here?

Posted by: tierra | Nov 3, 2009 3:40:26 PM
************
You do not know the facts. Israel has to protect itself from terrorists in Palestine who are being funded and stocked by Iranians. Yes the same Iranians who want to wipe Israel off the face of this earth. They warned these terrorists in Palestine NOT to bomb them - they warned Palestinian civilians that they would have to retaliate against the terrorists - they told them to get out via cell phone messages, flyers, etc. But what did the Hezbollah terrorists do? They took the Palestinians hostage and hid behind them -used them as human shields.

Hezbollah in Palestine are evil. Iranians helping Hezbollah in Palestine are evil. Israel must protect itself and we must help Israel.

You are are the wrong side here.

Posted by: Jenny | Nov 3, 2009 4:02:08 PM

"It is Israel's land. Israel is the only country making concessions."
______________________________________

The West Bank is not in Israel and it is not their land. Do some research.

Posted by: tierra | Nov 3, 2009 4:01:48 PM

Oh sure, Israel should continue to build settlements on the best land in the West Bank - land that is not Israel. Sure thing, that should really help to create peace.

Posted by: tierra | Nov 3, 2009 3:13:43 PM
************
It is Israel's land. Israel is the only country making concessions.

Posted by: Jenny | Nov 3, 2009 3:57:20 PM

"that area of the west bank is a buffer"
_____________________

That area of the west bank is not Israel's land to be building on - period.

In the last 'war' in the Gaza Strip, Palestinians killed 13 Israelis. That is THIRTEEN Israelis.

Israel killed close to 1400 Palestinians (that is ONE THOUSAND, FOUR HUNDRED Palestinians), many civilians, many women and children - and destroyed massive amounts of infrastructure including water and sewage services, schools and so on . . .

Who exactly is doing the destroying here?

Posted by: tierra | Nov 3, 2009 3:40:26 PM

The Palestinians do not want peace they have sworn to destroy Israel and that area of the west bank is a buffer between, Israel has been attacked at least 6 times, whenever the Palestinians can recover from the bloody nose that Israel gives them each time.

Posted by: earl | Nov 3, 2009 3:26:29 PM

"Israel already told him no and they do not back down, nor should they."
______________________

Oh sure, Israel should continue to build settlements on the best land in the West Bank - land that is not Israel. Sure thing, that should really help to create peace.

Posted by: tierra | Nov 3, 2009 3:13:43 PM

No guts no glory, spinless to back our troops and talks to hear his head rattle Israel already told him no and they do not back down, nor should they.

Posted by: earl | Nov 3, 2009 3:05:34 PM

Looks like the Arabs are also aware that everything Obama says has an expiration date.

He changes with the wind.

Posted by: kyle | Nov 3, 2009 2:22:19 PM

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