Rice, Livni meet in Herzliya
US secretary of state kicks off round of diplomatic talks in meeting with Kadima chairwoman, says election of Barack Obama signals completion of African American integration into US government
Speaking to reporters on Thursday after her arrival in Israel, US Secretary of State Condoleezza Rice hailed the election of Democrat Barack Obama as the end of the long and hard-fought integration of African Americans into the top ranks of government.
Rice recalled her childhood in Alabama and the Jim Crow laws she and her family were subjected to, and noted the appointment of her predecessor Colin Powell as an important part of the journey African Americans have undergone on the road to Washington. A journey, she said, that is now complete with the election of Obama.
"What we have seen is proof that democracy is an ongoing process that we must work on day after day. As an American I say that this is a historic day," she said.
Foreign Minister Livni, who met with the secretary at the home of US Ambassador James B. Cunningham in Herzliya, also addressed the election of Obama to succeed President George W. Bush.
"Obama's victory is a source of inspiration, I congratulate him on his win and also wish to express my admiration of (Republican rival) John McCain," said Livni, who as the recently elected chairwoman of Kadima now faces an election of her own.
Rice, on her eighth trip to the Middle East as secretary of state, said earlier in the day that she was doubtful that a peace agreement between Israel and the Palestinians could be reached by the 2008 deadline set by the White House.
Livni: We're realistic
The two leaders discussed developments in the region and touched on the Palestinian and Iranian issues.
Livni acknowledged that the strategic relationship between Israel and the United States grew stronger during the eight years of the Bush administration.
"I know there are doubts regarding the Annapolis process," said Livni, "but we are realistic enough to understand the reality we are faced with. I am optimistic enough to believe that reality can be changed.
We don't need slogans here, we need solutions."
The foreign minister added that Israel would never compromise on its opposition to the extremism of Iran, Hamas and Hizbullah. Next week's meeting of the Quartet on the Middle East in Sharm el-Sheikh, she said, is intended to reaffirm both side's commitment to the process that began at the Annapolis summit in 2007.
Rice too spoke of the importance of Annapolis, saying its very launching brought about a change in the atmosphere that has pervaded the Middle East since the beginning of the intifada in 2001.
