(Communicated by the President's Spokesperson)
President Shimon Peres this morning (Tuesday), 9 June 2009, held a working meeting with US Middle East envoy George Mitchell. The meeting was initially held with senior advisers and continued privately. The two men discussed very sensitive issues regarding the advancement of the peace process between Israel and the Palestinians and Israel-US relations.
President Peres said that there were four important points that needed to be emphasized en route to peace:
"1. A two-state solution based on the Roadmap.
2. The clear maintenance of Israel's security.
3. Independence for the Palestinians.
4. The implementation of a comprehensive regional peace between Israel and the Arab countries of the Middle East."
The President added: "I know that we must move along a corridor strewn with problems but there is also a great opportunity for peace. The sides must forgo the secondary problems and begin intensive negotiations for peace, in the framework of which I believe it will be possible to resolve most problems."
US Envoy Mitchell said: "I want to begin by stating again clearly and emphatically beyond any doubt that the United States' commitment to the security of Israel remains unshakeable. The United States under President Obama and Secretary of State Clinton remains fully committed to working with our friends, our allies and our partners and to achieve that comprehensive peace. We are working hard to achieve the objective of comprehensive peace in the Middle East, which you have referred to, Mr. President, including a Palestinian state side by side in peace and security with the Jewish state of Israel.
The president and the secretary of state have made our policy clear. Israelis and Palestinians have a responsibility to meet their obligations under the Roadmap. It's not just their responsibility. We believe it's in their security interest as well. But it's also in the interest of all others to seek to promote peace, Americans, Europeans, Arabs and others, to support this effort to tangible steps. And we all share an obligation to create the conditions for the prompt resumption and early conclusion of negotiations.
We're now engaged in serious discussions with our Israeli and Palestinian and regional partners to support these efforts. Let me be clear. These are not disagreements among adversaries. The United States and Israel are and will remain close allies and friends. My meetings today with the president and other Israeli officials are discussions among friends who share a common set of objectives. Peace, security and prosperity to all the people of this region."
President Peres said that, "Israel welcomes General Dayton's activity, in the course of which 1,500 Palestinian security personnel were trained. Their work is positive, strengthens the Palestinian Authority and is esteemed by the IDF."
President Peres updated envoy Mitchell on his meetings and talks with Egyptian President Hosni Mubarak and Jordanian King Abdallah II regarding the advancement of regional peace. Envoy Mitchell updated the President on his recent meetings with key Middle Eastern leaders.
Regarding the settlements, President Peres said that, "There is agreement in Israel regarding the evacuation of illegal outposts and not to build new settlements. However, the issue of natural growth in the settlement blocs must continue to be discussed intensively in order to reach agreement. In my experience, focusing on a single issue ill serves the wider diplomatic process which is supposed to set the agenda for Israel and its neighbors."
President Peres sought to convey his gratitude to US Secretary of State Hilary Clinton for her comments on the Iranian nuclear threat, according to which the US would respond to any nuclear or other attack on Israel.
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Prime Minister Netanyahu meets with US Envoy Mitchell
(Communicated by the Prime Minister's Media Adviser)
Prime Minister Benjamin Netanyahu this evening (Tuesday), 9 June 2009, met with special US Middle East envoy George Mitchell. The two men met for four hours, including two hours privately. The meeting was friendly, positive and encompassed the full range of issues on the agenda. The Prime Minister said: "Israel is working to advance peace and security with our Palestinian neighbors and with the wider Arab world." Envoy Mitchell emphasized that the US and Israel are allies and added that the link between them was unbreakable.