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'Time of opportunity' in ME
30/01/2005 20:34 - (SA)
Washington - Israel's plan to withdraw from the Gaza Strip and the Palestinian elections have created a "time of opportunity" in the Middle East and the United States intends to play an active role, secretary of state Condoleezza Rice said on Sunday.
"The parties are doing ... very well," Rice told Fox News on Sunday.
"And they themselves have set conditions which make it possible for this to be a time of opportunity: the Gaza withdrawal plan of the Israelis, the Palestinian elections after the death of Yasser Arafat."
Speaking of her upcoming trip to the Middle East, Rice said: "I plan to go out to discuss with them, to look at what we can do. Of course America has a very important role to play, and we will play it.
"The conditions are now emerging for movement back onto the road map and for movement toward a two-state solution," she said. "And I intend to do everything that I can to help push that process forward.
"I do think that it is important that the Palestinians and the Israelis find a way to move forward in this period of calm," Rice said.
"It is also important that we not lose sight of the fact that the road map requires the dismantling, ultimately, of terrorist organisations," she added.
Rice was confirmed as secretary of state last week, replacing Colin Powell. She is scheduled to visit Europe, Israel and the Palestinian territories later this week on her first foreign trip as the top US diplomat.
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