USA: Michael Oren, Israel's ambassador to the United States says Israel is ready to negotiate the core issues critical to a future peace deal with the Palestinians

Record ID: 396763

  • Title: USA: Michael Oren, Israel's ambassador to the United States says Israel is ready to negotiate the core issues critical to a future peace deal with the Palestinians
  • Date: 13th December 2010
  • Summary: WASHINGTON, D.C., UNITED STATES (DECEMBER 11, 2010) (REUTERS) MICHAEL OREN ISRAEL'S AMBASSADOR TO THE UNITED STATES, TALKING TO PEOPLE IN HOTEL LOBBY REPORTER ASKING (OFF-CAMERA): "So in light of her (U.S. Secretary of State Hillary Clinton's) remarks yesterday, where does Israel see progress in these talks moving forward?" (SOUNDBITE) (English) MICHAEL OREN, ISRAELI AM
  • Embargoed: 28th December 2010 12:00
  • Keywords:
  • Location: Usa, Usa
  • Country: USA
  • Reuters ID: LVA3NN1DZC2SWIWOTH967EX7MQNC
  • Story Text: Michael Oren, Israel's ambassador to the United States said Saturday (December 11) Israel looked forward to addressing "core" issues in peace talks involving the Palestinians.
    Secretary of State Hillary Clinton said on Friday the United States would push Israeli and Palestinian leaders to solve the core issues standing in the way of peace, and that both must seek a deal despite a breakdown in U.S.-brokered direct negotiations.
    "Well first of all, we're very committed to moving forward. We want to move forward toward achieving a framework peace agreement within the shortest possible time on all the core issues, not just territory - refugees. The questions of security are very paramount for us. So, we're committed to moving forward, hopefully through direct talks with the Palestinians," Ambassador Oren said in Washington.
    Palestinian leaders have said they would not return to direct negotiations with Israel, unless there is a freeze of settlement activity in the occupied West Bank. Oren said settlements should not be an obstacle in peace negotiations.
    "Settlements have never been an obstacle to making peace - not with the Egyptians, not with the Jordanians, not with even negotiating with the Palestinians for about 17 years. We don't see why they should be an obstacle now. We understand they are an issue, and we are, again, committed to resolving them within the context of those core issues: borders, territory and security," Oren said.
    "Core" issues are understood by both Israeli and Palestinian leaders to include borders and security, settlements, water, refugees, and Jerusalem itself, which Israel says is its capital but which the Palestinians also hope will serve as the capital of their future independent state.
    Clinton said the United States would launch a new round of indirect shuttle negotiations aimed at making real progress in the next few months toward a framework peace deal.
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