Sec'y Rice Keynote Address at the American Task Force on Palestine Inaugural Gala

IMRA/State Dept ^ | 10-12-06

[SJackson]

Sec'y Rice Keynote Address at the American Task Force on Palestine Inaugural Gala

Helping Palestinians Build a Better Future [Dr. Aaron Lerner - IMRA: Reading this one would never imagine that the majority of Palestinians recently polled support terrror attacks inside Israel and the "man of peace" Abbas wants to solve the problem of Palestinian gunmen by putting them all on the PA payroll.

"there are so many things that once seemed impossible that, after they happened, simply seemed inevitable" - like a Palestinian state becoming a terror state?].

Secretary Condoleezza Rice Keynote Address at the American Task Force on Palestine Inaugural Gala Washington, DC October 11, 2006 www.state.gov/secretary/rm/2006/73895.htm

Thank you very much. Thank you. I would first like to thank Dr. Ziad Asali for that wonderful introduction. But more importantly, I would like to thank you for your leadership and for your commitment to this very important cause, and for your friendship and counsel over my time as Secretary of State. Thank you very much for all that you do.

Now, before I go any further, let me wish you all Ramadan Karim to those of you here tonight, and to the millions of Muslims in America and across the world, who are now celebrating the holy month of Ramadan.

I am honored that Senators Carl Levin and John Sununu are here joining us tonight, along with many members of the diplomatic corps. In particular, I would like to thank and welcome Saudi Ambassador Prince Turki al-Faisal for being here. And I know that you will make remarks later. Thank you very much.

Finally, let me congratulate the distinguished Palestinian-Americans whom we are honoring tonight: Governor John Sununu, a good and longtime friend; Mr. Jesse Aweida, and Professor Mujid Kazini. These three individuals remind us of the great contribution that Palestinian-Americans are making to our nation - adding not just to our country's diversity, but to its character. I applaud the American Task Force on Palestine for highlighting the success of Palestinian-Americans, and for your continued support of all who work for peace in the Middle East.

Now, as I imagine most of you know, I traveled last week to the region. I consulted widely with our many friends and allies. And I am pleased to have this opportunity to share with you my sense of where we stand in the Middle East, particularly on the Palestinian-Israeli issue.

These are, without a doubt, difficult and challenging times. And I know that the past few months have been especially trying. In many places across the region - from Lebanon and Iraq, to the Palestinian territories and Israel - the images of violence, the stories of suffering, the deaths of innocent people are hard for all of us to bear. They're hard for me and I know that they are for you.

But let me also say that it is in times of testing that courage and perseverance are needed most by the people of the Middle East who deserve our support. It is my belief, and that of President Bush, that when we look at the recent actions of radicals in Hamas and Hezbollah, or at the violence of terrorists and militias in Iraq, or at the policies of governments like Syria or Iran, we are witnessing a campaign of extremism - not always commonly planned, but sharing a common purpose: to roll back the promise of a hopeful Middle East, where security, and freedom, and opportunity can expand.

If peace and dignity are to prevail in the region, then it is absolutely essential for leaders to be able to show, for moderate leaders to show, that their ideas, and their principles, and their vision for the future can offer a better alternative than violence and terrorism. That is why President Bush asked me to travel last week to the Middle East - to confer with moderate voices, with moderate Arab governments and with moderate leaders, to build a support for those people who are trying and who need our help more than ever now, leaders like Prime Minister Siniora in Lebanon, Prime Minister Maliki in Iraq, and most especially, of course, President Abbas in the Palestinian territories, from whom we have just heard.

Last month, in his speech to the UN General Assembly, President Bush reiterated his deep conviction that the Palestinian people deserve a better life - a life that is rooted in liberty and democracy, uncompromised by violence and terrorism, unburdened by corruption and misrule, and forever free of the daily humiliation of occupation. It is this belief that led President Bush, in June of 2002, to become the first American president to make it a matter of policy that the creation of a Palestinian state, with territorial integrity, with viability, living side by side with Israel, in peace and security, would indeed strengthen peace and security, not just in the region but the peace and security of us all.

At that time, President Bush pledged that, as Palestinians stepped forward to build a peaceful, responsible state, they would find no greater partner in this endeavor than the United States. Today, we are endeavoring to keep our promise.

First, we want to help the Palestinians to lay the political foundations of a successful state. We supported the free and fair election in January 2005, in which millions of Palestinians elected Mahmoud Abbas as their president. In the days and months that have followed, we have worked to assist his government in the long and difficult process of building effective democratic institutions. When it was time for parliamentary elections earlier this year, we again supported the Palestinians' right to choose their own leaders, and as you know, a plurality of voters cast their votes for Hamas.

At the time of the election, there were those who criticized our support for the election. And many still do. But I would ask everyone, "Is there a better way than to allow people to express their views, to have a role in choosing those who will govern them? And now look at how things are changing. For decades, Hamas dwelled in the shadows, able to hijack the future of all Palestinians at will, without ever having to answer for its actions. Today, however, the Palestinian people and the international community can hold Hamas accountable. And Hamas now faces a hard choice that it has always sought to avoid: Either you are a peaceful political party, or a violent terrorist group - but you cannot be both.

All the members of the Quartet - the United States, the United Nations, the European Union, and Russia - are holding firm in our conviction that a Palestinian partner for peace needs to accept three principles: the disavowal of terror and violence, the recognition of Israel's right to exist, and the acceptance of all previous agreements between the parties, including the Roadmap, which is the only internationally agreed-upon framework to create a Palestinian state. At the same time, we fully support President Abbas, and the growing number of his fellow citizens, who are urging Hamas to put the interests of the Palestinian people ahead of their own rejectionist agenda.

Now, we in the international community recognize that the past several months have been really hard for the Palestinian people. We know that living conditions have deteriorated, and that many are in need of assistance.

So we are working to ensure that the Palestinian people receive the food, and the medicine, and the humanitarian relief that they so desperately need. That is why the United States recently increased our direct assistance to the Palestinians to $468 million a year, with much of that going to meet basic needs. We've also worked with our foreign partners to create a temporary mechanism to channel international donor assistance directly to the Palestinian people. We and our European allies are now expanding this mechanism into a new international assistance program to alleviate the suffering of the most vulnerable Palestinians.

Second, we want to help the Palestinian people to lay the economic foundations of a successful state. The Palestinians are some of the most talented, best educated, and hardest working people in the Middle East. What they need more than anything are opportunities to prosper. And last November, I personally worked with parties to create an opportunity - an Agreement on Movement and Access, to help the Palestinians travel more freely and transport their goods to market. It is important that we continue to work so that Palestinians and Israelis can implement this agreement.

Finally, we want to help the Palestinians establish the environment of security and the rule of law that a successful state requires. In his speech at the United Nations last month, President Bush specifically charged me with helping the Palestinians on this front, and that was one of the key purposes of my recent visit. Together with Lt. General Keith Dayton, who is leading our efforts to help the Palestinians reform their security services, I spoke with President Abbas about how we can help him stem the violence in the West Bank and Gaza. And we are working on a new initiative, along with our allies such as Egypt, and Jordan, and the European Union.

I realize that the continuing problems of security are also a great challenge for many Palestinian-Americans living in Gaza and the West Bank - and for so many others, including many of you, who travel there often, who work for greater tolerance and understanding, and who invest your time, and your knowledge, and indeed your capital in the Palestinian territories. People like you have a vital role to play in the Middle East, and I will continue to do everything in my power to support your good work, and to ensure that all American travelers receive fair and equal treatment.

You see, ladies and gentlemen, our government cannot by itself meet the historic challenge that we now face in the Middle East. To empower moderate men and women in the Palestinian territories and across the region, to help them build lives of peace and dignity, we in government need the full support of private partners: our businesses, our universities, our non-governmental organizations, and our fellow citizens like you.

Recently, President Bush formed a partnership with leaders of four major American companies to support the government and people of Lebanon. A presidential delegation traveled to Beirut last month. And together, the State Department and America's business community are now raising millions of dollars in new assistance and investment, which will help the Lebanese people rebuild their country and revitalize their economy.

This partnership can, and should, become a model for efforts to support the Palestinian people and the government of President Abbas. So let us mobilize the full energy of the Palestinian-American community. Let us find new and more determined ways to realize our shared vision of two states, Palestine and Israel, living side by side in peace and security. And let us focus our efforts to strengthen and support moderate men and women throughout the region, who simply long for peace, and development, and dignity.

I know that sometimes a Palestinian state living side by side in peace with Israel must seem like a very distant dream. But I know too, as a student of international history, that there are so many things that once seemed impossible that, after they happened, simply seemed inevitable. I've read over the last summer the biographies of America's Founding Fathers. By all rights, America, the United States of America, should never have come into being. We should never have survived our civil war. I should never have grown up in segregated Birmingham, Alabama to become the Secretary of State of the United States of America.

And yet, time and time again, whether in Europe or in Asia or even in parts of Africa, states that no one thought would come into being, and certainly not peacefully and democratically, did. And then looking back on them, we wonder why did anyone ever doubt that it was possible.

I know the commitment of the Palestinian people to a better future. I know firsthand the commitment of President Abbas and moderate Palestinians to that future. And I know the commitment of the people in this room and of the American Task Force on Palestine that one day indeed there will be a Palestinian state living side by side in peace with Israel.

I can only tell you that I, too, have a personal commitment to that goal because I believe that there could be no greater legacy for America than to help to bring into being a Palestinian state for a people who have suffered too long, who have been humiliated too long, who have not reached their potential for too long, and who have so much to give to the international community and to all of us. I promise you my personal commitment to that goal.

Thank you very much.

[SJackson]

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[veronica]

"I can only tell you that I, too, have a personal commitment to that goal because I believe that there could be no greater legacy for America than to help to bring into being a Palestinian state for a people who have suffered too long, who have been humiliated too long, who have not reached their potential for too long, and who have so much to give to the international community and to all of us."

It's been a long time since I've read so much rank BS in one speech. So a Palestinian state would be the crowning legacy of the US? Has she gone mad???

[iopscusa]

Rice has become another victim of the US State Dept....we, American Citizens are at the bottom of the priority list for everyone in DC.

[veronica]

Not the first to be swayed by oily sycophants who live in tents.

[SJackson]

It's been a long time since I've read so much rank BS in one speech. So a Palestinian state would be the crowning legacy of the US? Has she gone mad???

I think GWB will do everything in his power to establish a palestinian state before he leaves office. Whether he considers it a legacy booster, or whether it's Saudi influence, I don't know. Clearly creating a terrorist state isn't an issue. If somehow Condi can get Hamas to lie for a couple years, "recognize" Israel, this administration won't hold them to their commitment in that area any more than Clinton did, they can get it done.

[SJackson]

And as to It is my belief, and that of President Bush, that when we look at the recent actions of radicals in Hamas and Hezbollah..., good grief, it's the Bush administration that pushed for the participation of armed terrorist groups in the electoral process, in the case of Hamas in direct violation of the Oslo Accords and the Roadmap to Peace. What did they expect, these groups are armed for a reason, war. Fortunately our successful pressure to include the Muslim Brotherhood in Egyptian elections, through surrogates, hasn't worked out as badly, yet. Dictatorships handle these things better.

[SJackson]

American Task Force on Palestine

Inaugural Gala

Our Mission and Purpose

ATFP is a non-partisan, not-for-profit corporation that aims to articulate the national security interests of the United States in establishing a Palestinian state. Specifically, ATFP seeks to promote awareness of the far-reaching benefits that Palestinian statehood will have for the United States in the following areas:

1. Enhancing national security, as well as regional peace and stability;

2. The proliferation of American values of freedom and democracy, through the creation of a democratic and constitutional state for the Palestinian people;

3. The expansion of economic opportunities throughout the Arab & Islamic worlds, in an atmosphere of peace and cooperation.

ATFP advocates the establishment of a democratic state of Palestine living in peace and security alongside Israel in the territories occupied in 1967 in accordance with international law and the relevant United Nations Resolutions.

ATFP categorically and unequivocally condemns all violence directed against civilians no matter who the victims or perpetrators may be.

ATFP believes that permanent peace in the Middle East, as well as world peace, can only be achieved by a historic compromise based on a two state solution, with a shared Jerusalem and a just solution for the refugee problem according to international law. This vision of peace has the support of the United States government, the United Nations, the European Community, each member of the Arab League and the majorities of the Palestinian and Israeli peoples. Nevertheless, despite overwhelming international support, the realization of this vision has yet to materialize in any meaningful way, with continued tragic consequences. It is the goal of ATFP to advance the implementation of the international consensus with alacrity and resolve.

ATFP plans to fulfill this mission of peace by coordinating the efforts of Americans of Palestinian origin working, with their fellow Americans and others, across the spectrum of civic, educational, cultural, legal, economic and political fields.

Our Purpose

The Arab-Israeli conflict, now nearly a century old, is the single greatest threat to worldwide peace and stability. Beyond the violent territorial struggle on the ground, the conflict has global implications for adherents of the three great faiths, all of whom legitimately lay some claim to a portion of the land between the Jordan River and the Mediterranean Sea.

Despite decades of hostilities that have engulfed the region, hostilities which rage as intensely today as at any time since 1967, the framework of a comprehensive settlement is in place. A fair reading of the numerous United Nations Resolutions on the Middle East crisis, the negotiations between the Palestinian and Israeli delegations that extended to Taba, Egypt in January 2001, the Saudi proposal adopted by the Arab League, the vision articulated by the United States President and Secretary of State, and the Road Map to peace adopted by the Quartet firmly establish that there is an overwhelming international consensus for a resolution of the conflict.

Although the foregoing scenario has been widely discussed and generally accepted by a vast preponderance of the world community for an entire generation now, it has yet to be implemented. Despite attempts to move various peace processes forward in fits and starts, the parties find themselves no closer to peace now than in 1967.

At the American Task Force for Palestine, we believe that the time has come to firmly prod all of the participants into a timely and committed implementation of the international consensus. Without such prodding, experience has demonstrated there is little reason for confidence that the various players will be able to reach a meaningful accord.

The American Task Force on Palestine advocates the formation of a Palestinian state primarily because such a step would represent an absolute windfall for the interests of the United States. As America continues the defense of its citizens and its freedoms in the global War on Terrorism, a final and satisfactory resolution of the Mideast conflict, which is the single greatest source of anti-American sentiment throughout the Arab and Muslim worlds, would be an invaluable asset. Such a resolution is possible only with a restoration of Palestinian rights in the land that has been their home for centuries without interruption. The longer this denial of rights persists, the more difficult it will be to convince young people to choose the path of peace. Nevertheless, hope for a brighter future must not be abandoned. Without the constant pain and feelings of injustice that this conflict continues to inflict on the world, zealots will be hard pressed to find recruits for their nefarious schemes. At the same time, Israel’s security and its integration in the Middle East depend firmly on the establishment of defined borders with its neighbors and a just solution for the Palestinian problem based on international legality.

The Israeli Palestinian conflict has provided a pretext and justification for all governments in the area to deny their citizens freedom and all its attendant benefits of development. Frustration with governance problems has been deflected towards external sources. The ill will directed at the United States by its perceived support for Israeli conquests and for corrupt authoritarian regimes has created serious security risks for our country, as demonstrated so horrifically on 9-11. The current regimes in the Arab World are not equipped to solve the host of social ills generated by governance problems across the Middle East. On the other hand, democratic representative elections will yield more militant and anti-American governments as long as the Palestinian problem remains unresolved. Working with democratic forces in Palestine with a clear objective of a political solution based on the establishment of two states will achieve two major objectives:

1. Removing the major source of contention between the Arabs and Israel and United States.

2. Establishing a constitutional democratic form of government in Palestine will set a model for the rest of the Arab World to emulate.

A Trillion Dollar Market

America and the Middle East both stand to reap tremendous benefits as a result of Palestinian statehood. Regional strife has been the focal point of people's lives for far too long. Once the talents and energies of people in the Arab world and in Israel are put to productive use rather than warfare and hatred, a prosperous future can be nurtured and the allure of fanaticism will be irrevocably diminished. As the political landscape calms, substantial markets in the Middle East and North Africa, not to mention the newly created State of Palestine, will blossom, with American companies being the primary beneficiaries. Pooling of the talents, skills, labor forces as well as natural resources of the Arabs and Israelis will allow for strategic relations of the whole region with the United States. Such relations will generate wealth, prosperity and stability for all.

Americans of Palestinian heritage are in a unique position in this country. For decades we have closely observed the foreign policy of the United States as it affects the Middle East. Although we have seen important decisions be made which have had a profound effect on the Palestinians in the West Bank, Gaza, Israel, and in neighboring countries, we have yet to play a significant role in the shaping of these decisions or in the formulation of U.S. foreign policy. This relative absence from participation, whatever its causes may be, has denied the country the benefits of a significant informed and friendly voice. With a solid record of achievement in this country, Palestinian-Americans understand the nuances of the American political landscape over the years and have developed a deep affection for this country and respect for the institutions that make it so great. No other group has a deeper understanding of the Palestinian problem in all its dimensions. Others have been engaged in this issue on behalf of the Palestinians for a long time and the present state of affairs makes it imperative that a new dynamic be in order. It is the time for us to claim our rightful place as interlocutors of the Palestinian cause in the U.S. We are keenly aware of the similarities and shared values that exist between our two peoples, in spite of the forces that have contributed to the current divide.

The Palestinian Authority at this time is mired in a host of problems that render it ineffectual in its present structure. It has failed to deliver the promise of statehood and peace to the Palestinian people. The development of rudimentary requirements for voting, institution building and accountability cannot be achieved under military occupation. Unceasing settlement activity, home demolition and economic and security measures leading to impoverishment make the two state solution barely achievable even if we act with dispatch. Time is of the essence to gather up the forces of all parties interested in a two state solution--the only road to peace--to coordinate their efforts in order to avoid a century of conflict and strife with global consequences.

Too much has been lost needlessly because of the world's failure to place a priority on implementing a solution that has become obvious to all reasonable observers. The effective veto power that has been exercised in the past by those on all sides who harbor fanatical and exclusionary ambitions must be removed. Those of us who seek peace, conciliation, reason and prosperity for the Middle East and America must not be deterred. Let us take it upon ourselves to fill the void now and provide the impetus to do what the world knows needs to be done.

[Wuli]

Condi makes me barf; her intellect and degree of being informed remains in an academic bubble divorced from the hard realities of the real world. She has entered the "Middle East World" and listened predominately to those willing to play politely to her naive misconceptions, as they welcome how she facilitates all the activties that they know contradict the myths she believes.

[kagnew]

I couldn't agree more with your statement about Condi Rice's speech being nothing but BS. Walid Shoebat, a former PA terrorist who converted to Christianity said it best, this is what the Arabs refer to as a HUDNA. A Hudna is used by the Arabs, e.g. muslims, for only two express purposes: 1. The get concessions from your enemies or 2. Bide time to strengthen and then strike again. Also it is permissable for a muslim to lie to an infidel, e.g. the Jews and Christians, and that the muslims DO NOT have to honor ANY AGREEMENT with an infidel. That is from the Koran.

[justiceseeker93]

What was the Jewish Democrat Senator Carl Levin doing at this event?

Why, of course, pandering to to the Arabist community in and around Dearbornistan and Detroit!

[SJackson]

What was the Jewish Democrat Senator Carl Levin doing at this event?...Why, of course, pandering to to the Arabist community in and around Dearbornistan and Detroit!

And DC, and Seattle, and Arabs in general. Same thing as everyone else.

[SJackson]

BTW, I just noticed the map (copied in post 8) from their website is missing a country. Guess which one. Puts Condi, Levin and everyone else in Kofi Annan's boat. Of course Kofi apologized.

[justiceseeker93]

Although I'm no fan of Carl Levin, I'd be shocked if he has any focus on appealing to Arab voters outside of Michigan. His goal is to keep his corpulent body in his Senate seat for the rest of his life.

[Sabramerican]

I noticed that immediately.

But why would you think Rice would notice?

On her 60 Minutes profile a few weeks back she spoke of not understanding why terrorists would target innocents and gave several countries as example. There was Britain. There was Spain.

Those one or two incidents there are unforgettable to her.

Maybe another country- and innocents- will come to mind for her the next time she orders a pizza. Or sees a packed bus. Or sees infants and toddlers. Or gets invited to a Seder. Or...or not.

Did you know she plays the piano? You want her to read maps too?

[justiceseeker93]

I just noticed the map from their website is missing a country. Guess which one.

To go out on a limb and give them the benefit of the doubt, the map is labeled "The Arab World" and their does seem to be a border (although you have to look closely to see it) between what would be Israel proper and the West Bank. In addition, they do at least pay lip service to the existence of Israel - beside their delusional vision of a peaceful Palestinian state.

[SJackson]

To go out on a limb and give them the benefit of the doubt, the map is labeled "The Arab World" and their does seem to be a border (although you have to look closely to see it) between what would be Israel proper and the West Bank.

That's what I thought at first glance. I enlarged the map, and what might appear to be a partial border, there's no border with Gaza, looks to me to be the Dead Sea and Jordan River. The border with Jordan a single state would enjoy.

The clincher for me, the non Arab Ethiopia and Western Sahara are unnamed, but depicted in white, there's no white where Israel should appear. Given the many incidents over the exclusion of Israel from maps, something a palestinian group would be well aware of, I think they're sending a message. A "deniable" message, to be sure, but a message of solidarity.

[Sabramerican]

Lets take your point.

It's the Arab World. And what would be Israel is hardly a pin prick on that map.

And yet, comparing all that territory, according to Rice:

"there could be no greater legacy for America than to help to bring into being a Palestinian state"

One more Arab state. And if its being eviscerates Israel, well there is no greater legacy for America.

[justiceseeker93]

Checking out Debbie Schlussel's blog from yesterday, she describes the "falsely-named" American Task Force on Palestine as "an amalgam of extremist Muslims who support a host of terrorist groups that murder Americans and whose funding is apparently from overseas Islamists."

I believe that Debbie is very knowledgeable on Islamic groups, so I retract the benefit of the doubt that I extended to ATFP earlier.

And that makes Rice's appearance there all the more troubling.

[SJackson]

Thanks, I'll have to take a look at her blog. For obvious reasons, I'm always skeptical of "peaceful" muslim groups, primarily because upon examination the not so peaceful dwell amongst them. Schlussel is good at ferriting that out.