US Secretary of State Condoleezza Rice Promotes Middle East Peace Negotiations

US Secretary of State Condoleezza Rice visited Israel and met with Prime Minister Ariel Sharon to discuss steps necessary for effective peace negotiations between Israel and Palestinian leaders. Rice emphasized the importance of fighting terrorism and urged Israel to make "hard decisions" to promote peace and help establish a democratic Palestinian state. The visit came ahead of a high-level summit between Israeli and Palestinian leaders, which aimed to achieve a long-term cease-fire and formalize an agreement not to hunt wanted Palestinian militants.

Key Takeaways:

• Secretary of State Condoleezza Rice met with Israeli Prime Minister Ariel Sharon to discuss steps for effective peace negotiations with Palestinian leaders.
• Rice emphasized the importance of fighting terrorism and urged Israel to make "hard decisions" to promote peace and help establish a democratic Palestinian state.
• The visit came ahead of a high-level summit between Israeli and Palestinian leaders, which aimed to achieve a long-term cease-fire and formalize an agreement not to hunt wanted Palestinian militants.
• Rice warned Israel not to undermine the political standing of Mahmoud Abbas, the new Palestinian president, and asked Israel to ease conditions for Palestinians.
• Israel intends to release about 900 Palestinian prisoners, but will not release those convicted of murdering Israelis.
• The Sharm el Sheik meeting is expected to be largely ceremonial, with the substance of the agreements worked out in advance.
• Ms. Rice's agenda with Mr. Sharon includes discussions on Israeli promises under the peace plan known as the road map, including halting new settlement activity and dismantling up to 50 illegal West Bank settlement outposts.
• The US is also looking for ways to help the Israelis and Palestinians coordinate the Gaza withdrawal and to train Palestinian police.

Statistics:

• 900: The number of Palestinian prisoners that Israel intends to release.
• 8,500: The number of Israeli settlers in Gaza that will be permanently relocated under the peace plan.
• $400 million: The amount of aid pledged by Kuwait, Qatar, and other Persian Gulf countries to the Palestinian Authority.
• 100: The monthly welfare payment to poor Palestinians.

Sources:

• The New York Times: Condoleezza Rice and Ariel Sharon Discuss Steps Toward Peace
• The New York Times: Rice and Sharon Discuss Israeli and Palestinian Leaders in Secret Meeting
• The New York Times: Rice Seeks to Ease Conditions in West Bank and Gaza in bid to Promote Peace
• Al-Ahram: US Secretary of State Visit Paves Way for Palestinian-Israeli Summit