| November 3, 2009 Clinton urges Arabs, Israelis to set aside differences
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(NECN/ABC) - The Secretary Of State was in Morocco today, telling her mainly Arab audience that she remains committed to Middle East Peace -- and a Palestinian state.
"Yes our policy has not changed, and I thank you for asking that question," said Hillary Clinton.
But on Saturday in Jerusalem, standing alongside Israeli Prime Minister Benjamin Netanyahu, this...
"What the Prime minister has offered in specifics of a restraint on the
policy of settlements, which he has just described, no new starts for
example, is unprecedented," said Clinton.
That language on settlements didn't please Palestinians one bit -
Palestinian President Abbas is refusing to talk until there is a full freeze
on settlement construction, and they thought that was the American position
too. They accused the Obama administration of backtracking.
On Monday, in Marrakesh, she heard the same fears from Arab foreign
ministers, and she seemed to change her tune.
The issue of Israeli settlements has stymied efforts to kick-start peace
talks. The administration called for a settlement freeze, the Israelis have
refused but offered to put limits of the building work - the Palestinians
say it's not enough.
Without one side giving in - the process is blocked. Hilary Clinton flies
for last-minute talks with President Mubarak Wednesday in Cairo before
heading back to Washington. For all
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