There are many obstacles to overcome through hard work ahead of the Washington conference in November, US Secretary of State Condoleezza Rice told Israeli President Shimon Peres in a private meeting in Jerusalem Thursday.
The president agreed that their eyes should not be closed to the problems ahead, and that it was in everyone's interest to prevent the conference from failing.
In her meeting with Peres, Rice said it was time to advance the peace process. The secretary of state added that despite the many hurdles to overcome, there was an atmosphere of peace and sincere will to reach an agreement between both parties.
Rice said she, along with the international community, was ready to work hard in order to achieve peace in the region.
In front of the cameras, Peres told Rice that her arrival came at the most critical time and that now there was a window of opportunity.
Peres told Rice he was sure that she would put all her energy and political talent into making the upcoming conference a success.
Pointing out that a recent Palestinians poll showed Hamas' popularity fading, with only 13.8% support in the West Bank, Peres told Rice there was a prominent majority in the Palestinians public that oppsed Hamas' takeover of the Gaza Strip, and that there was a severe drop in Gaza residents' sense of security.
Rice is set to meet with Palestinian President Mahmoud Abbas in Ramallah later Thursday, and will then return to Tel Aviv for a second meeting with Israeli Prime Minister Ehud Olmert.
Sources from Olmert's office clarified that the trips between Jerusalem, Ramallah and Tel Aviv were planned in advance, and should not be taken as an indication of any difficulties.
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