Hillary Clinton: Mideast Peace Talks Back On

WASHINGTON — Secretary of State Hillary Rodham Clinton said Friday that the Mideast peace process will get back on track next week, though not the U.S.-brokered direct talks involving Israeli and Palestinians that the Obama administration wants to see.

George Mitchell, the special U.S. envoy to the Mideast, will mediate the discussions when he travels to the region. His visit will follow a weekend meeting of Arab League diplomats. Mitchell is expected to leave on Sunday and spend the week holding discussions with Israelis and Palestinians, U.S. officials said.

For now, it's indirect talks, with Mitchell and aides meeting with one side at a time, then shuttling to the other. There aren't any negotiations planned with Israelis and Palestinians at the same table.

"Ultimately, we want to see the parties in direct negotiations and working out all the difficult issues that they must," Clinton told reporters after meeting with Kuwait's foreign minister, Mohammad Sabah al-Salem al Sabah.

Palestinian negotiator Saeb Erekat said his side was making "every possible effort to begin these talks." A final decision, he said, would come from Arab foreign ministers and the Palestinian Liberation Organization's leadership.

Israeli government officials had no immediate reaction to Clinton's announcement.

An attempt last month to resume indirect talks fizzled when Israel announced a new Jewish housing project in east Jerusalem, which the Palestinians claim as a future capital. That drew fierce criticism from the United States and led to the worst rift in decades between Washington and its chief Mideast ally.

Since then, the Obama administration has sought to repair the damage with a series of recent meetings and speeches from senior officials, including Clinton and Obama's national security adviser, James Jones.

"The Middle East will never realize its full potential, Israel will never be truly secure, the Palestinians will never have their legitimate aspiration for a state unless we create the circumstances in which positive negotiations can occur," Clinton said.

___

Associated Press writer Matthew Lee contributed to this report.

Comments

[blackjack12]

12:37 AM on 05/03/2010

Gaza demonstrates the pointlessness of giving the Palestinians their own state.
Israel left Gaza in 2005. All Jews were expelled. At last the Palestinians could demonstrate clearly that they deserved a state. Did the Palestinians in Gaza seize the chance of building a free and prosperous state? Did they encourage industry, trade and tourism, and peace with their neighbours? Did they set up a liberal parliamentary democracy, with freedom of speech, freedom of sexuality and freedom of religion?

No, of course not. After Israel gave them what they wanted in 2005, the Palestinians in Gaza got worse, not better. They looted their own infrastructure, elected Hamas, continued teaching their children to hate Jews, and did not stop but rather escalated terror attacks on Israel.

[chaimschwartz]

06:16 AM on 05/03/2010

And..the Arabs burned down all the Greenhouses the Israelis left in place that helped produce a BILLION dollar flower and vegetable export business! Yeah..they're looking fo peace..................... like a Zebra looks for a pride of lions to play with!

[dumbeddown]

12:12 PM on 05/03/2010

By Ed O'Loughlin Herald Correspondent in Jerusalem and agencies
February 21, 2006

ISRAEL has declared the Palestinian Authority a "terrorist body" following the election victory by the Islamic militant group Hamas and has launched an international campaign to starve it of funds and contacts.

The US Secretary of State, Condoleezza Rice, is expected to add her support to the boycott today, when she is due to arrive in Egypt to press the Arab League to drop plans to make good the loss in funding.

The president of the Palestinian Authority and the leader of the defeated Fatah party in last month's election, Mahmoud Abbas, said the authority faced a financial crisis after Israel's decision not to pay $US50 million ($67 million) in monthly customs revenue which it owes the authority under its 1993 Oslo Accords commitments.

[duxguts]

11:32 PM on 05/02/2010

Lets see what Israel does to sabotage any chance of peace this time.

[blackjack12]

12:41 AM on 05/03/2010

Democracy works not because it is a majority vote but rather because having regular free elections demands a free society - free press, free speech, freedom to question the government and religious authorities. It's not clear at all that Palestine has any of these. If you take a society with no habits of democracy or freedom, and just give them a free vote, the result may be:
In a society like Palestine, Algeria, Egypt or Saudi Arabia, they vote for fascists who then end democracy.

[chaimschwartz]

06:08 AM on 05/03/2010

You mean like protect itself from groups like the PLO and Hamas ...sworn by their Cahrters...to exterminate

[chaimschwartz]

10:33 PM on 05/02/2010

Gee,HP, just HAD to bring this one back after a few hours on the shelf..... for the 3 or 4 Israel haters who hadn't commented yet???

[amake616]

09:31 PM on 05/02/2010

I always find it humorous to read comments full of vociferously written claims of Palestinian violence and brutality and their lack of fair play or equal rights and backwaterness etc. The Ultra Orthodox Jewish population of Israel plays the defining role in creating laws that relate to social structure, marriage, etc., are the dominant players in pushing for unpopular settlements, and have quite a bit in common with the more traditional Islamic elements in the Palestinian community.

Women don't have the right to a divorce without their husband's consent (although if they have the money and their husband is willing to be bribed they can always pay for their freedom!), the highly limited marriage rights of the mamzerim are certainly not 2010, women have to sit at the back of the bus on taxpayer paid buslines that serve both Orthodox and some non-Orthodox areas while being harassed or forced off the bus if they attempt to sit at the front while (taxpayer--paid) bus drivers sit watch, women can be arrested for attempting to pray at the spot by the Western Wall that wasn't designated for them, and sidewalks, government meetings, post offices etc. can and often are segregated between men and women because we all know how well separate but equal works out! :)

Mind you, if Israel wants to operate as a theocracy I don't care (whatever works for them) but at least I'm not a hypocrite about it unlike certain rabidly Israel-only posters here...

[chaimschwartz]

10:39 PM on 05/02/2010

Sounds like EVERY Arab state!

[amake616]

09:29 AM on 05/03/2010

I know, right? I appreciate you responding honestly; I thought for sure the posters like you would attempt to deny the hypocrisy of criticizing the Palestinians while claiming Israel is inherently superior despite the facts on the ground. I really appreciate your acknowledgment of the equal values shared by both religious Israelis and religious Palestinians. I clearly underestimated you.

[Ergon]

04:04 PM on 05/03/2010

Israel ISN'T a theocracy. If that were the case then so be it, and we can all wring our hands and do nothing about it like we do with all the Arab states. But claiming to be a secular state for all Jews while discriminating even against 'the wrong kind of jew' seems like hypocrisy of the highest order.

[marcehole]

09:13 PM on 05/02/2010

The US is a thoroughly unsuitable 'broker' for these so-called Peace Talks. The truly die-hard supporters of 'Israel' are sufficiently rich and numerous to fund the illegal occupation of the Palestinian territories on their own. I find it 'interesting' that these 'supporters' have managed to suck the American Christians into forking out the dough to further their ends. The US government is notorious for allowing themselves to be manipulated by aggressive cults. Another example of infiltration and subsequent sycophant behavior is the US government support of the Church of Scientology.

[chaimschwartz]

10:37 PM on 05/02/2010

Yer right...how about Iran or Syria as the peace brokers??? LMAO!

[marcehole]

11:07 PM on 05/02/2010

Well... You certainly have a delightful sense of humor... :-) I was thinking more along the lines of Canada or China ... :-) ahem... OK... OK... I am settled down now... how about the UN?

[gakabani]

07:32 PM on 05/02/2010

Take a look at the following article in AJ, it is very interesting

http://english.aljazeera.net/focus/2010/04/2010430183148967987.html

[marcehole]

09:00 PM on 05/02/2010

Thanks... interesting article indeed. It more than adequately mirrors the cross-section of essential thoughts of the many truly open-minded on this issue and the possible outcomes.

[marcehole]

04:12 PM on 05/02/2010

Waddaya mean... 'Peace Talks'... ??? Let's cut to the chase here!! Just for a start: Israel should immediately withdraw from Gaza and the entirety of the West Bank... including getting the so-called 'settlers' out of there... leaving behind the settler's housing for the Palestinians to take over. This is the least that Israel can do after stealing the Palestinians' land and destroying their homes to begin with. That also means stay the f--k out of their airspace, out of their coastal waters, out of their borders etc... Anything less will guarantee the backlash that the Palestinians justifiably unleash on the Israeli's. Israel's claim of 'defense' is a farce. Furthermore, the US should butt the f---k out... kiss your bible-thumping second coming of christ goodbye, and quit wasting our money supporting the occupation and associated Israeli war crimes. Otherwise... I fully support ALL and ANY manner of Palestinian retaliation.

[gakabani]

06:03 PM on 05/02/2010

You point to the most inalienable right of any people, any human, their right to exists in peace.

[GZLives]

06:43 PM on 05/02/2010

"Let's cut to the chase here!! Just for a start: Israel should immediately withdraw from Gaza"

I know ... ignorance is bliss

[marcehole]

07:03 PM on 05/02/2010

They still control their borders, shores and airspace...

[gakabani]

07:32 PM on 05/02/2010

Speak for yourself!

[Amryxx]

03:34 PM on 05/02/2010

Why is the US a mediator for these talks? Shouldn't a mediator be someone neutral?

[DC]

03:41 PM on 05/02/2010

Because the US is expected to cut a check to someone or everyone, or at least drum up trade agreements out of it.

$$$$$$ is always part of the deal.

[Amryxx]

03:44 PM on 05/02/2010

In which case, why must the US pay off someone? I don't really care since it's not *my* government's treasury, but if I'm an American I'd be miffed for all the money that's been spent abroad when the country is undergoing recession.

[chaimschwartz]

10:49 PM on 05/02/2010

How about...Pakistan?

[invirginia]

06:19 PM on 05/01/2010

On again. Off again. On again. Off again. On again. Off again. On again. Off again. On again. Off again. On again. Off again. On again. Off again. On again. Off again. On again. Off again. On again. Off again. On again. Off again. On again. Off again. On again. Off again. On again. Off again. On again. Off again. . . . . . . . . . . .

[Vlady]

10:54 PM on 05/01/2010

What you say is not true. Read British encyclopedia on the subject.

[chaimschwartz]

10:49 PM on 05/02/2010

sounds like a difficult sexual experience..ride 'em, Cowboy!

[marcehole]

11:53 PM on 05/02/2010

hahahahahahahahahahahahaha

[chillwind]

03:57 PM on 05/01/2010

As others have noted, plenty of blame to go around. Nevertheless, the status quo is not indefinitely sustainalble. In spite of the fact that nations and politics are fed by history and national myth, the only approach that has any real chance to succeed must be grounded in the here and now.

[invirginia]

06:20 PM on 05/01/2010

In reality, it seems that the status quo is the ONLY thing that is sustainable.

[Anbreen]

01:53 PM on 05/02/2010

YIKES! That's grim!

What politician can get his head out of his own interests long enough to become cognizent of reality?

[davidwayneosedach]

02:42 PM on 05/01/2010

These "talks" have been going on for what - fifty years? Nothing never has nor never will come from them.

[CigarGod]

03:09 PM on 05/01/2010

You must be very young.

Eqypt and Israel have been at peace for many years....as a result of "talking".
I bet you can think of some other examples if you try.....

[Peter Noble 2]

04:25 PM on 05/01/2010

Well said. And actually if you count Jewish Diaspora the dreams of return have been going on for over a thousand years.

The Palestinians are yet another group of Semites who have been occupied, killed and humiliated. In terms of the length of Jewish and Arab history 1948-67 all happened in less than 5 minutes: this morning.

My ancestors used to throw rocks at Romans from the Temple, just like Palestinian youths today. I guess my cousins in Israel want to be the Romans this time round. We should understand history better than anyone and not behave like this.

We had a Diaspora from around 6 to 8 BC and " The defeat of the Great Jewish Revolt in the year 70 AD and of Bar Kokhba's revolt against the Roman Empire in 135 AD notably contributed to the diaspora as many Jews were scattered after losing control over Judea or were sold into slavery throughout the empire."

That was our Nakba!

http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Jewish_diaspora

[Peter Noble 2]

04:27 PM on 05/01/2010

Simply to add: Israel should allow Palestinians citizenship if they cannot part from East Jerusalem or return to the 1967 borders.

[Usama]

12:18 PM on 05/01/2010

Of the list of Arab nations from which Jews departed and fled, all or nearly all were under direct European colonial rule, or were indirectly controlled by rulers set in place by the European imperialists. In fact, the entire 20th century of the Middle East, Arab world, and Muslim world, is about Western powers setting up regimes that serve Western interests to the detriment and oppression of the actual people of the Muslim world.

For example, then Transjordanian king who controlled Jerusalem and Palestine was put in power by the British empire, his army was supplied, trained, and advised by the British, and he himself made secret contracts with the Israelis. In 1948, Egypt, the most powerful Arab nation, was ruled by a king put in power by the British too. In fact Egypt had only partial independence.

Imagine today's Iraq or Afghanistan waging war against Iran. Would you postulate that America was behind the war since American power totally dominated and controlled these nations and these nations would not and could not function without American permission?

As for Arab nationalism - it was and still is a sickness. It today leads Arab nations to be against each other, let alone Jews. No matter. Israel will never be trusted by the people even if the regimes accept them.

[CigarGod]

01:30 PM on 05/01/2010

Fanned.
Have a cigar.

[Peter Noble 2]

04:35 PM on 05/01/2010

Good post sad we'll never be trusted though..try being a Jew who supports Palestinians right to have control over their own destiny. That might well be CigarGod's position of a single state or it might be a Federated State or 2 states.

I do not trust any American sanctioned talks to not insist that the Palestinians should still give up more. And that's the real problem with these talks: the bias inbuilt to support my tribe.

[CigarGod]

05:49 PM on 05/01/2010

Exactly correct.

I remember the first view we all had from space of our planet.
Different tribes, but all one people.

Unfortunately, we don't respect our Mother Earth anymore than we do each other.

[CigarGod]

05:53 PM on 05/01/2010

btw, it's about time I fanned you ;-)

[Ospree19]

10:31 AM on 05/01/2010

Hilary getting new orders from her Masters! Yea!!!!

[invirginia]

06:22 PM on 05/01/2010

whatever

[tophat123]

10:21 AM on 05/01/2010

Everyone ignores, forgets, or simply doesn't know that there are TWO sets of refugees-- the second being the more than one million Jewish refugees from Arab lands. What justice should there be for the lives and belongings they were forced to flee after 1948?

Country -- number of Jews forced to flee
Algeria -- 274,000 fled
Egypt -- 118,000
Iraq -- 144,000
Lebanon -- 15,000
Libya -- 42,000
Morocco -- 542,000
Syria -- 44,000
Tunisia -- 205,000
Yemen -- 60,000

[FairuzGhowar]

11:24 AM on 05/01/2010

mostly cause they are no longer in camps

They too should be compensated or given the right of return.

[TheLonelyGod]

01:16 PM on 05/01/2010

The Palestinians in the territories are not in camps. Lebanon, on the other hand...

[Rider]

11:31 AM on 05/01/2010

Their situations vary. Some left due to voluntary aliyah. All have recouped their losses. Not symmetrical with the plight of Palestinian refugees, the vast majority of whom left at gunpoint according to recently de-classified Israeli military (Irgun/IDF) documents contemporary with the events. The Palestinians were not departing TO a newly-established homeland like the diaspora Jews, but expelled FROM their homeland, FROM ancestral villages which were then bulldozed off the map..

[Anbreen]

12:27 AM on 05/02/2010

Fanned!

[ttimotteo]

09:56 AM on 05/01/2010

I feel so reasurred w Hilary on the case. NOTTT.
She's another lackey.

[Anbreen]

01:59 PM on 05/02/2010

She's a jive politician. She will open her mouth, and speak whatever has been fed in.