Israeli DM Ehud Barak greets Hillary Clinton at an American Jewish Committee Annual gala dinner
WASHINGTON (Agencies)
The Obama administration warned Iran and Syria late on Thursday that America's commitment to Israel's security is unshakable while urging Arab states to do more to back Israeli-Palestinian peace moves.
In a speech, Secretary of State Hillary Rodham Clinton said Syrian transfers of increasingly sophisticated weaponry including rockets to militants in southern Lebanon and Gaza could spark new conflict in the Middle East. She added that a nuclear-armed Iran would profoundly destabilize the region.
" These threats to Israel's security are real, they are growing, and they must be addressed "
Secretary of State Hillary Rodham Clinton "These threats to Israel's security are real, they are growing, and they must be addressed," she said in the speech to the American Jewish Committee. The speech was the administration's latest effort to reassure Israel that its ties to the United States remain strong despite tensions that flared last month.
Clinton told the group that Israel is "confronting some of the toughest challenges in her history," particularly from Iran, Syria and groups they support like Hezbollah in Lebanon and Hamas in the Gaza Strip, and reaffirmed U.S. determination to get them to change course.
"Transferring weapons to these terrorists, especially longer-range missiles, would pose a serious threat to the security of Israel," she said.
Israel has accused Syria of providing Hezbollah with Scud missiles, weapons that would dramatically increase the group's range to hit targets in Israel. Syria has denied the charges. U.S. officials have not confirmed Hezbollah's possession of Scuds, but say they are concerned about its growing arsenal of rockets and missiles.
Meanwhile, Clinton urged Arab states to do more to back Israeli-Palestinian peace moves. But she also expected Israel to halt settlements in occupied land, meet the humanitarian needs of Gazans, and help the Palestinian Authority build institutions needed for statehood.
Arabs must give more money
" The United States has done our part, becoming the PA's largest bilateral donor, and Europe also has stepped up. Arab states need to share a greater portion of these responsibilities "
Secretary of State Hillary Rodham Clinton "We do not expect the Arab states to move forward in a vacuum," the chief U.S. diplomat said in remarks to the American Jewish Committee.
Clinton also urged the U.S.-backed Palestinian Authority to continue its work to improve security and stop anti-Israeli militancy in the West Bank.
Although she hit familiar themes, Clinton was more explicit than in the past about what steps the Arabs should take for peace after they ignored previous pleas because of what they consider Israel's intransigence.
"They should take specific steps that show Israelis, Palestinians and their own people that peace is possible and that there will be tangible benefits if it is achieved," Clinton said in a speech to a pro-Israel group.
The chief U.S. diplomat urged Arab states to offer more financial support to the Palestinian Authority and its two-year development plan as well as move toward ending Israel's isolation by opening or re-opening trade offices.
"The United States has done our part, becoming the PA's largest bilateral donor, and Europe also has stepped up," she said. "Arab states need to share a greater portion of these responsibilities."
Gulf Arab states like Qatar and Oman closed Israeli trade offices in 2000 when the Oslo the peace process collapsed in violence. Qatar closed the Israeli trade office when Israel launched an offensive in Gaza in December 2008.
Clinton also suggested that Arab states grant Israel the right to fly over their territories as well as allow cultural or educational exchanges between Israelis and Arabs.
The moves involving Israel, the Palestinians and Arab state amounted to a complex choreography.
"As negotiations proceed between the Israelis and Palestinians, and mutual confidence increases, Arab states should reach out to the Israeli public," she said.
http://www.alarabiya.net/articles/2010/04/30/107274.html
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