US envoy: Lip service for Mideast peace not enough
By JOSEF FEDERMAN
The Associated Press
JERUSALEM (Oct. 21, 2009) — The Obama administration’s ambassador to the United Nations told Israelis on Wednesday that it’s not enough just to pay “lip service” to peace and urged the government to immediately relaunch negotiations, without preconditions, aimed at creating an independent Palestinian state.
Ambassador Susan Rice, in an address at a high-powered conference hosted by Israeli President Shimon Peres, planned to assure Israelis — many of whom are wary of Obama’s Mideast agenda — that her government is committed to their security.
“As President Peres always reminds us, being serious about peace means taking risks for peace,” Rice said in a prepared statement. “Being serious about peace means understanding that tomorrow need not look like yesterday.”
Excerpts of the speech, the first on policy delivered by the Obama team in Israel, were obtained by The Associated Press ahead of the address.
President Barack Obama has been attempting to restart talks between Israelis and Palestinians since taking office. The Palestinians have refused to resume negotiations, demanding that Israel first stop building settlements on war-captured lands they want for their future state.
Israeli Prime Minister Benjamin Netanyahu says he’s ready to start talking, but has laid out a hardline agenda that has made the Palestinians suspicious of his intentions. Netanyahu says he will never share control of Jerusalem — a key Palestinian demand — and has given no indication on whether he is prepared to cede large areas of captured land claimed by the Palestinians.
Rice’s planned message appeared aimed at both sides, urging them to plunge headlong into talks that would address all major issues, including Jerusalem.
“We must all decide whether we are serious about peace or whether we will lend it only lip service,” she was to say.
Rice’s address reflected Obama’s emphasis on seeking diplomatic solutions to the world’s troubles. Obama’s vision, and his outreach to the Muslim world, have many Israelis worried that the U.S. president will depart the near-unconditional support for the Jewish state his predecessors had.
Addressing these concerns, Rice said the U.S. “remains fully and firmly committed to the peace and security” of Israel, according to the text.
At the same time, she urged the world’s leaders to rise above narrow interests and work for the greater good of peace.
“We know what is holding us back: short-term, shortsighted definitions of self-interest,” she was expected to say. “Treading water above powerful undertows will only leave us driven farther and farther from shore.”
“So we must choose: to continue business as usual in a vain attempt to withstand the whirlwind, or to work together to seize this rare chance for deep and lasting change — change driven by transformational leadership … and supported by visionary citizens and publics who understand our mission and our moment,” she added.