Posted on 11/06/2008 10:01:19 AM PST by SmithL
The Bush administration conceded Thursday that an Israeli-Palestinian peace deal by a year-end deadline is no longer possible.
"We do not think it is likely it will happen before the end of the year," White House spokeswoman Dana Perino said in Washington, while Secretary of State Condoleezza Rice acknowledged as much at the outset of a Mideast trip meant to secure the modest gains from a year of U.S.-sponsored talks between Israel and one part of the fractured Palestinian leadership.
Perino said U.S. advisers began to doubt the deadline months ago, as a corruption scandal and related political uncertainties occupied Israel's attention.
Israeli Prime Minister Ehud Olmert is being forced from office by the scandal, and the country is set to hold new elections in February. Rice noted the situation "is a constraint on the ability of any government to conclude" a deal.
"I've learned never to predict in this business," she said, "but it is clear we're in a different situation now because Israel is going to elections."
En route to the Middle East for her eighth trip to Israel and the Palestinian territories since the parties set the deadline for reaching an agreement at last November's summit at Annapolis, Md., Rice said political uncertainty in Israel is the main obstacle.
Rice also said upon arriving here that it is important to maintain momentum and support for the negotiations so that new governments in both Israel and the United States have "a firm foundation" to continue the talks next year.
"It is our expectation that the Annapolis process has laid groundwork which should make possible the establishment of a Palestinian state when the political circumstances permit," Rice added. "I think that whatever happens by the end of the year, you've got a firm foundation for quickly moving ...
(Excerpt) Read more at sfgate.com ...
Despite the advent of “Hopeandchange,” do you think it can be accomplished by the end of trhe century? “
If Obama does what he's promised to do, and I have no reason to doubt him, there will be peace in Israel before 2010.
I say that based on Obamas promise to disarm the U.S., negotiate with terrorists, gut the military, cut and run in Iraq, etc. There will be peace in Israel because they will be a smoldering sandpile after “Imanutjob” finishes assembling his weapons. Anyone that believes he won't use them as soon as he gets them together is a fool. I wouldn't be shocked if one or two don't get set off in NY and Washington as well.
I could have told you that peace in a million years there was not possible.
According to the Bible, the Anti-Christ will sign a peace treaty with Israel and her enemies, ushering in the Tribulatuion (The time of Jacob’s Trouble). If this occurs, I guess Obama will be the Anti-messiah! By their fruits you will know them!
“It is our expectation that the Annapolis process. . .”
Preceded by the Camp David process, the Maryland process, the Oslo process, the Shultz initiative, the Nixon trip, etc. etc.
Doesn’t the State Dept. ever learn that it takes two to make peace? And that when one side only wants to wipe out the other, that there isn’t going to be any peace?
Condi Rice is on her 8th trip to discuss peace with the Palestinians? Is this not one dumb EEO Sec of State, she never learns that her efforts are completely worthless!
Just go away and take that DA President with you!
Hey Condi, how about you step down, preferably NOW, and let the current President destroy the enemy before the Communist does his complete take-over?
SHOCKED!
Is that fraud going to give back her paycheck then?
I’m so surprised! Why, I had called my bookie Morty and put a bet for 10 large on there being peace by Christmas!
(yea, right)
Do tell, Condi. But please, feel free to waste some more time and resources on brow-beating Israel for the next three months as the rockets fly in from Gaza. Knock yourself out.
Hey Condi, how did that “Road Map” work out for ya?
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