VIDEO - The Israelis and the Palestinians have a joint responsibility to create an atmosphere and a reality in which the Palestinians are committed to Israel's security and Israel is committed to the Palestinians' quality of life, US Secretary of State Condoleezza Rice said Sunday morning.
Speaking at a joint press conference with Foreign Minister Tzipi Livni in Jerusalem, Rice added that she expected both Israel and the Palestinians to carry out meaningful things both in the economic and the security fields.
Responding to a reporter's question in regards to the compensation for Jewish West Bank settlers who may choose to leave their homes, Livni said that "as someone who has seen the disengagement and the treatment of the evacuees, I believe that this must be dealt with in advance."
Joint press conference (Photo: AFP)
According to the foreign minister, the Israeli government must assist those who choose to leave their homes.
"I believe it is still too early. This must be done as the process proceeds, when the borders are defined," she said.
Livni: Part of talks held out of public's eye
Addressing the target date in the peace talks with the Palestinians, Livni said, "Although in Annapolis it was determined that target date would be the end of 2008, negotiations are taking place. Part of them are being held between myself and Abu Ala (former Palestinian Prime Minister Ahmed Qureia), out of the public's eye in order to prevent pressures, and part are held on other levels.
"Fixation is not our policy and is not an Israeli interest. We are working to bolster Abu Mazen (Palestinian President Mahmoud Abbas ),Abu Ala and (Palestinian Prime Minister) Salam Fayyad in the face of the extremists, headed by Hamas and the others.
"Our goal is not just to achieve a piece of paper, but rather content. The idea is to achieve a package, which will also include territorial compromises and security for Israel, so that the Palestinians can fulfill their national vision and establish a state alongside Israel. We are at the start of the process."
Rice made it clear that she expected progress in terms of improving the Palestinians' lives. She said she was looking to find out what was being done in terms of improving the Palestinians' economic life and quality of life, improving the movement and crossing issues and the security arrangements in Israel.
'Progress needed in economic field'
"There is a shared responsibility here for an atmosphere and a reality that can lead to the establishment of a Palestinian state based on security for Israel and Palestinians alike and economic viability for Palestinians," Rice told the news conference.
"I understand the security considerations and I would hope and I expect that we're going to be able to some things, or that Israel and the Palestinians together will be able to do some things, that are meaningful both for security and for economic viability," she added.
Rice's previous visit to the region took place only three weeks ago, and her recent remarks testify to Washington's dissatisfaction with the progress made. The US is concerned about the continued Israeli construction in the territories, the failure to evacuate illegal outposts and the presence of roadblocks across the West Bank.
The US secretary of state is scheduled to meet later with Defense Minister Ehud Barak .The second part of the meeting will be attended by Palestinian Prime Minister Fayya, and Barak is expected to present him and Rice with a series of Israeli gestures.
Barak told foreign ambassadors over the weekend, "We view Salam Fayyad and the Fatah movement as partners for peace. Everything must be done in order to reach an agreement with the region's countries, including the Palestinians, but more than one side is needed for peace."
Rice is scheduled to leave for Amman on Sunday afternoon, where she will meet with Jordan's King Abdullah. She is also due to meet with Palestinian President Abbas. She will return to Jerusalem on Sunday night, and will take part in a three-way meeting with Livni and Qureia on Monday. Before leaving Jerusalem, Rice is scheduled to meet once again with Prime Minister Ehud Olmert .
The Associated Press contributed to this report