Last update - 02:04 18/02/2007
Rice tells FM Livni: Summit must focus on two-state solution
By Amiram Barkat, Haaretz correspondent and agencies
U.S. Secretary of State Condoleezza Rice said yesterday that she expects the trilateral summit tomorrow with Prime Minister Ehud Olmert and Palestinian Authority Chairman Mahmoud Abbas to focus on advancing the two-state solution.
Rice said the U.S. would wait for the formation of the Palestinian unity government before making any decisions about it.
She said she would look into all available political options on dealing with the coalition government of Fatah and Hamas, despite the fact that it apparently does not accept the demands placed on it by the Quartet of international peacemakers.
Rice had dinner with Foreign Minister Tzipi Livni yesterday and is scheduled to meet Olmert today. She told journalists that the Quartet's principles constitute "basic principles for peace."
She said it was only reasonable that the PA should renounce violence, recognize its partner's right to exist and abide by international agreements.
She agreed with Livni that the timing of her visit is "delicate," but said that, despite the difficulties, it was important to have these discussions and talk about advancing the two-state vision.