Peace process can be revived, Beckett says
British foreign minister tells Israeli counterpart, 'Complexities of process should not deter Israel and the Palestinians from engaging in dialogue'; Livni underscores importance of keeping up pressure on Hamas until it renounces violence, recognizes Israel
British Foreign Secretary Margaret Beckett said Tuesday during talks in Jerusalem with her Israeli counterpart that there exists a window of opportunity to revive the long-stalled peace process between Israel and the Palestinians.
"If we proceed carefully, there exists at the moment a possibility to push the peace process forward," Beckett told reporters after talks with Israeli Foreign Minister Tzipi Livni.
Beckett said that renewing Israeli-Palestinian peace talks was as much an interest of both sides as it is for moderate Arab states.
Beckett is on a two-day visit to Israel and the Palestinian territories, her first since taking office in May 2006, during which she is also scheduled to meet with Prime Minister Ehud Olmert, Defense Minister Amir Peretz and Palestinian President Mahmoud Abbas.
Becket and Livni in Jerusalem (Photo; AP)
Acknowledging that such efforts could meet a dead end, Beckett said that the complexities of the peace process should not deter Israel and the Palestinians from engaging in dialogue.
Livni for her part underscored the importance of keeping up pressure on Hamas to comply with demands by the international community that it renounce violence, recognize Israel and accept past agreement between Israel and the Palestinians.
Livni: Israel will speak with PA moderates
The international community cut off aid to the Palestinian Authority in January last year following the Islamic group's shock election victory.
"It is very important to meet with the moderate group of Palestinians in order to put on the table Israel's important needs," said Livni, adding that the US-backed road map peace plan should be the foundation for talks with the Palestinians.
The two ministers also discussed Iran's nuclear program. Livni expressed Israel's concern at Tehran's ongoing defiance of international demands that it halts uranium enrichment.
Earlier Tuesday, Beckett met with Knesset Speaker MK Dalia Yitzik who urged the foreign secretary's assistance in securing the release of two Israeli soldiers held by Hizbullah in Lebanon and an corporal held by Hamas in the Gaza Strip.
Itzik, who is filling the Presidential post while President Moshe Katsav battles rape charges, said the lack of information about the kidnapped soldiers is "inhumane."
Amnon Miranda contributed to this report
