10 June 2009
United States Seeks Rapid Resumption of Middle East Peace Talks
Washington — The United States seeks a quick resumption and an early conclusion to the Israeli-Palestinian peace talks, U.S. Special Envoy George Mitchell says.
“The president of the United States and secretary of state have made our policy clear: The only viable resolution to this conflict is for the aspirations of both sides to be met through two states,” the former U.S. senator said June 10 after a meeting with Palestinian Authority President Mahmoud Abbas. Those with an interest in furthering the peace process “all share an obligation to create the conditions for the prompt resumption and early conclusion of negotiations.”
Mitchell’s visit to the West Bank city of Ramallah, the headquarters of the Palestinian Authority, is part of President Obama’s efforts to reinvigorate negotiations that ultimately would lead to the creation of a Palestinian state living at peace alongside Israel — often referred to as the “two-state solution.”
In a major speech to Muslims around the world from Cairo on June 4, Obama pledged to work aggressively to end conflict between Israelis and Palestinians, and he sent Mitchell back to the region this week to continue negotiations.
On June 9, Mitchell met for four hours with Israeli officials, including a two-hour private meeting with Prime Minister Benjamin Netanyahu on a broad range of issues. Mitchell said during the meetings that “the United States’ commitment to the security of Israel remains unshakeable.”
Mitchell will also travel to Amman, Jordan on June 11 and Damascus, Syria, on June 12 and 13, State Department spokesman Ian Kelly said June 9. He added that “the president has reiterated to Prime Minister Netanyahu that the framework of the road map [peace process plan] can advance the interests of Israel, the Palestinian people and the United States.”
Prime Minister Netanyahu is expected to deliver a speech on his policies June 14.
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