Rice/Abbas/Olmert trilateral meeting – Remarks by Secretary Rice – Press release

Remarks After Her Meeting with President Abbas and Prime Minister Olmert

Secretary Condoleezza Rice
Jerusalem
February 19, 2007 

Good afternoon. Palestinian President Abbas and Israeli Prime Minister Olmert and I met today here in Jerusalem. It was a useful and productive meeting.

All three of us affirmed our commitment to a two-state solution, agreed that a Palestinian state cannot be born of violence and terror, and reiterated our acceptance of previous agreements and obligations, including the Roadmap.

The President and the Prime Minister discussed how to move forward on mutual obligations in the Roadmap in regard to the implementation of Phase I.

We called for respecting the ceasefire declared in November.

The President and the Prime Minister also discussed issues arising from the agreement for the formation of a Palestinian national unity government, and the position of the Quartet that any Palestinian Authority government must be committed to non-violence, recognition of Israel, and acceptance of previous agreements and obligations, including regarding the Roadmap.

The President and the Prime Minister discussed their views of the diplomatic and political horizon and how it might unfold toward the two state vision of President Bush.

The President and the Prime Minister agreed that they would meet together again soon. They reiterated their desire for American participation and leadership in facilitating efforts to overcome obstacles, rally regional and international support, and move forward toward peace.

In that vein, I expect to return to the region soon.

2007/T3-8