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Rice: Peace deal still possible
04/05/2008 21:01 - (SA)
Jerusalem - Facing mounting Palestinian frustration at the pace of peace talks, the US leaned on Israel on Sunday to lift restrictions that chafe West Bank residents and stifle an already limping economy.
US Secretary of State Condoleezza Rice did not directly criticise Israel, but had unusually direct remarks about the consequences of Israeli construction and roadblocks in the West Bank.
Palestinian claims that Israel is deliberately expanding Jewish settlements on land the Palestinians claim for a state have dampened hopes for a peace deal before US President George W. Bush leaves office in January.
Asked about settlements, Rice said she "continues to raise with the Israelis the importance of creating an atmosphere that is conducive to negotiations".
"That means doing nothing, certainly, that would suggest that there is any prejudicing of the final terms" of a deal setting up a separate Palestinian state in the West Bank, Rice continued.
Rice emphasised that a year-end goal for an Israeli-Palestinian peace deal is still achievable, even though both sides question whether the target is realistic.
Both sides face new obstacles unrelated to the substance of peacemaking. Palestinian President Mahmoud Abbas, 73, underwent an unannounced heart procedure last week, raising new questions about his health and the lack of a clear succession plan within the moderate West bank government he leads. Israeli Prime Minister Ehud Olmert has become the subject of a new police investigation, the fifth since he took office two years ago.
A gag order has been imposed on the Olmert case. But speaking to his Cabinet on Sunday, he said the case has unleashed a wave of "malicious and wicked" rumours and pledged to push forward with his agenda.
He also confirmed reports that he would meet with Abbas on Monday. The two leaders meet regularly to assess progress.
Rice shuttled between Israel and the West Bank, passing red-roofed Jewish settlements and illegal outposts on the way, to prod for progress ahead of Bush's commemorative visit to Israel later in May. He is marking the 60th anniversary of the Jewish state.
His visit has irked some Palestinians, who say the US is too close to Israel to act as an honest broker. Bush will not venture next door to the Israeli-occupied West Bank, as he did during his first visit to Israel as president in January.
Israel isn't trying to expand Jewish housing to effect a land grab before an eventual military withdrawal, the country's senior diplomat said.
"I can assure you Israel has no hidden agenda," Foreign Minister Tzipi Livni said.
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