Hillary Clinton makes last-ditch effort to save Middle East peace talks

[Francesca9]

Source: Telegraph (UK)

... US Secretary of State Hillary Clinton has been heading frantic American efforts at the UN to salvage the talks ahead of Sunday’s expiry of an Israeli moratorium on settlement construction... Mr Abbas’ speech sent mixed messages. He pledged his commitment to Middle East negotiations and did not repeat previous direct threats to break off talks...

Read more: http://www.telegraph.co.uk/news/worldnews/middleeast/israel/8025016/Hillary-Clinton-makes-last-ditch-effort-to-save-Middle-East-peace-talks.html

---

WAR OR PEACE?

I am in favor of diplomacy and peace.

[RandomThoughts]

1. I agree with peace and things like diplomacy.

However nobody has corrected what should be corrected in my personal life, so I am at peace in society and advocate for better ideas when I can.

And at the same time I am at war with the concept of wars, including injustice and lack of equal treatment, and for concepts of compassion and mercy.

So when some say peace through war trying to be violent to win some peace, I will say I am at war by actions of better thoughts of peace.

Or something like that :)


And I am due money for beer and travel and many good experiences. And no that is not about what other people are due, except in concepts of not accepting injustice.

[Historic NY]

2. If it fail the US should withdraw any funding it provided for both sides plain & simple.

[DFLforever]

3. That's not going to happen as long as the US Congress

continues to favor the policies of the the Israeli PM over that of the US president.

[peacebird]

6. US should withdraw funding AND support for both sides.

[Rosa Luxemburg]

4. Hillary should tell these 2 men to grow up and make peace

As long as right wingers are in control of Israel there will be no peace.

[sellitman]

5. As long as Hamas and Fatah are at odds there will be no peace

We have seen the result.

[The Stranger]

10. Israel funded Hamas for years in order to set up internal opposition to Fatah.

We have seen the result.

[tuckessee]

7. Yeah, she's eager to get back to peddling stoves.

All this war & peace stuff is too difficult.

[smalll]

8. Didn't this latest round just START? And she ALREADY has to make "last-ditch efforts" to save it?

I remember this pic from only a couple weeks ago!

http://4.bp.blogspot.com/_2b_SPCr78uQ/TIE8zxeBIVI/AAAAAAAASaQ/oJ8rfy_g0ZQ/s1600/peace+talk+walk.jpg

I feel sorry for Hillary having to clean up after the elephants in the parade. Seems perhaps some up at 1600 Penn. Avenue don't care about elephant shit, as long as it leads to good pics and positive news for a day or two. :shrug:

[Kringle]

9. time for Mr Peace Prize, to step up to the plate ..nt

[karynnj]

11. The title of the article here is not particularly backed up by the story

The real title should likely be that the talks could fail abruptly over the settle issue. This title sets up HRC and the Obama administration to fail here. This is an issue that they and special envoy former Senator Mitchell have been trying to solve for over a year - and which both sides have dug their heels in on.

It is a very difficult problem with no easy solution. It is easy to see both sides point of view - even if you disagree. The Arabs have seen the Israelis gradually "settle" in the areas that were won in the 6 day war. If you look at a map that shows where the settlements are - it is very clear that Israel even retaining the settlements it has leaves something resembling Swiss Cheese for the Palestinian state. From the Israeli point of view, they are saying that they are not talking of new settlements - just building up the ones they have - the natural growth of a community. Palestinians see this as changing what is "on the ground" which could influence the determination of where that area ends up. The root of the problem is that decades ago, Sharon allowed and facilitated the settling of the area - which has led to the current mess.

This article speaks of Israel's compromise to allow extensions only in the larger settlements that would likely be annexed by Israel in the needed land swaps. That suggest an interesting possibility, if both sides are genuinely interested in a solution. It will be interesting to see if Israel can be persuaded to renew the freeze - with the promise that the proposed land swaps will be high on the list of issues addressed. It would seem that it would then be more likely - if the swaps, which everyone knows have to occur - were agreed upon. Then there could be agreement that growth in a future Israel area is ok, otherwise - no.