Arabic Press Release

English Press Releases

March 20, 2007

Ministry of Foreign Affairs
Cairo, Egypt

A/S Welch: I am here this evening to meet with His Excellency the Foreign Minister to prepare for the visit of the Secretary of State who will be coming in just a few days. As you know, this will be an important visit, but one of several that Secretary Rice has been making to this region in support of the most important foreign policy priority for the Bush administration.

The main topic of our discussion today was how we see the path ahead, particularly on the Israeli-Palestinian issue, and to get some ideas from the Egyptian side. This was a good meeting with the Foreign Minister and useful for me, certainly; I hope it was useful for him.

We believe that the key is to offer both sides a vision of how peace and security would actually work for the purposes of both, especially in that there should be a political horizon for the establishment of the Palestinian state. This is an idea that President Bush led with some time ago and which he would like to see realized, ideally during his term. We want to do this in a manner that is consistent with international agreements and shows a respect for and recognition of the right of the other to have his views and, among other things, to exist. Second, to proceed in an environment free of violence and terror. Third, to do so while remaining conscious that many other people have tried things in the past –signed agreements, undertaken initiatives, taken decisions in the Arab League – and all of this provides part of the framework that establishes peace.

In the discussions today with His Excellency the Minister, we also covered some other parts of the region. We count on the leadership of Egypt; Egypt was, of course, the first to lead with peace with Israel, and to this day, remains a leader in the region and the world in trying to expand the circle of peace. We think that is a very important responsibility and we are grateful for Egypt’s support in this regard.

I’ll take one question.

Question: You mentioned a political horizon – what exactly is the position of the political horizon?

A/S Welch: Well, I think we know where we want to go, and there should be two states living side by side in peace and security. But, for too long, there has been no dialog between Israel and the Palestinians about how to achieve this objective. In fact, it has been some years since there was really an effort. We would like to contribute to reviving this. You saw an American system with a roadmap, and no one is suggesting that you go out of the sequence of this understanding, but to get it moving.

Question: But the reaction of the American diplomats towards the Palestinian government was not sufficiently positive.

A/S Welch: Well, regrettably, the platform of this new government appears to fall short of the principles articulated by the international community. These are very straightforward, accepted by many, including in this region. We would like to have seen a government on the Palestinian side that measures up to those principles, but this one doesn’t do that, so our policy will be shaped accordingly.

Thank you all very much.