Middle East
17 March 2010 Clinton to Attend Middle East Quartet Meeting in Moscow Secretary of State Hillary Rodham Clinton travels to Moscow for talks on Middle East peace and on a proposed U.S.-Russian strategic arms treaty. Beginning March 18, the secretary and Special Envoy for Middle East Peace George Mitchell will participate in a meeting of the Quartet for Middle East Peace in Moscow. The Quartet, which includes the European Union, United Nations, Russia and the United States, was formed in 2002 in Spain to assist in mediating an end to escalating violence in the Israeli-Palestinian conflict. The Moscow meeting is scheduled to conclude March 19.
16 March 2010 Northern
Ireland Offers Perspective for Mideast Peace Efforts Secretary of State
Hillary Rodham Clinton said the United States is seeking the “full commitment” of
Israelis and Palestinians to peace efforts, and visiting Irish Foreign Minister
Michael Martin said the developing peace process in Northern Ireland offers the
two sides a “useful template” for conflict resolution.
15 March 2010 Secretary
Clinton's Interview with CNN’s Jill Dougherty Discusses
women's rights, Middle East peace process, Afghanistan and Iran.
11 March 2010 Biden
Tells Israelis Status Quo Is Unsustainable Reaffirming the U.S. commitment to Israel’s security, Vice President Biden
told Israelis that peace with an independent Palestinian state is “profoundly” in
their country’s interests.He urged both sides in the conflict to end the
cycle of violence and distrust and move forward in good-faith negotiations to reach
a final peace settlement.
10 March 2010 New
Israeli Construction in Jerusalem Weakens Trust The
announcement of new Israeli housing projects in East Jerusalem undermines the trust
needed between Israel and the Palestinians to have profitable peace negotiations,
Vice President Biden says. He pledged a continued active role by the Obama administration
to encourage talks between the two sides.
04 March 2010 In
the Middle East, Modest Progress Made on Women’s Rights A new
report on women’s rights in the Middle East and North Africa finds some
progress but “a long road ahead.” Of all parts of the world, it is
this region in which “the gap between the rights of men and those of women
has been the most visible and severe,” says the report
by Freedom House, an independent, nonprofit organization that studies and
advocates for human rights worldwide.
15 February 2010 U.N.
Sanctions Against Iran Would Target Revolutionary Guard The United
States wants the Middle East ultimately to be free of nuclear arms, and while
the Obama administration remains open to engagement with Iran, it is working
with others in the international community on economic sanctions to discourage
the Iranian government from pursuing those weapons.
11 February 2010 Statement
by Secretary Clinton on Developments in the Middle East "This Administration has, from the beginning, worked to bring about
comprehensive peace in the Middle East, including a two-state solution to the
Israeli-Palestinian conflict. On that issue our approach has been three-fold:
(1) to help build the economy and capacity to govern of a Palestinian state;
(2) to renew political negotiations to enable the earliest possible establishment
of that state; and (3) to achieve these in a manner that ensures the security
of Israel and of the Palestinians."
08 January 2010 Increased
Efforts for Mideast Peace in 2010, Clinton Says Secretary of State Hillary Rodham Clinton calls for “good faith
negotiations” to be relaunched between Israel and the Palestinians to end
their decades-long conflict based on the 1967 borders and mutually agreed land
swaps, and says 2010 will be a “year of renewed commitment and increased
effort” to reach that goal.
25 November 2009 Israeli
Settlement Moratorium Helps Move Talks Forward, U.S. Says Although the Israeli government’s
announcement of a 10-month moratorium on new settlement construction falls short
of a full settlement freeze, the Obama administration says the decision helps
move forward the resolution of the Israeli-Palestinian conflict, and urges both
sides to engage in final status negotiations to reach an agreement on a two-state
solution that will realize a secure and recognized Jewish state and an independent,
viable and contiguous Palestinian state.
10 November 2009 Relaunching Talks Is First Step in Middle East Peace Process The
critical first step in the Middle East peace process is to relaunch negotiations
between the Palestinians and Israelis without preconditions, says U.S. Under Secretary
of State William Burns.
03 November 2009
Press Briefing by Assistant Secretary Philip Crowley en Route to Cairo, Egypt
Secretary Clinton: Travel to Pakistan, the Middle East, and Morocco
Secretary Clinton will travel to Marrakesh, Morocco from November 2-3, 2009 to participate in the 6th Forum for the Future.
See also:
• Secretary
Clinton: Travel to Pakistan (State.gov website)
• Follow
the Secretary on DipNote, the State Department's official blog
November 2009 Initiatives Advanced by Secretary Clinton during the Forum for the Future 2009 (PDF)
4 November 2009 United States Still Opposed to Israeli Settlements, Clinton Says Secretary of State Hillary Rodham Clinton repeated that the Obama administration does not accept the legitimacy of Israeli West Bank settlements and wants to see the establishment of a Palestinian state with borders based on territory that Israel has occupied since 1967.
04 November 2009 Briefing by Secretary Clinton en Route to Washington >Clinton briefed reporters aboard the plane from Cairo, Egypt
03 November 2009 Clinton Reaffirms U.S. Commitment to Muslim Communities
In a speech to the sixth Forum for the Future, Secretary
of State Hillary Rodham Clinton reaffirmed the U.S. commitment to broad engagement
with Muslim communities around the world and the equally strong U.S. commitment
to comprehensive peace in the Middle East.
03 November 2009 Remarks by Secretary Clinton at the Forum for the Future
03 November, 2009
Forum for the Future and Examples of U.S. Support
for Civil Society The Forum
for the Future is a joint civil society initiative of the countries of the
Broader Middle East and North Africa region (BMENA) and the Group of Eight
(G8). It brings together leaders from government, civil society and the private
sector to exchange ideas and form partnerships to support progress, reform,
and expanded opportunities for the people of the region.
03 November, 2009 Secretary Clinton Announces Global
Partnerships to Advance Cairo’s “New
Beginning” Secretary Clinton delivered a major speech on November 3 in
Marrakesh, Morocco at the Forum for the Future, an initiative of the countries
of the Broader Middle East and North Africa region (BMENA), the G8 countries,
and civil society and private sector groups. She reaffirmed the commitment
of the United States to broad engagement with Muslim communities around the
world and outlined concrete steps the United States is taking to follow up
on the “New Beginning” that President Obama launched in Cairo.
03 November, 2009 Secretary Clinton Announces Civil
Society 2.0 Initiative to Build Capacity of Grassroots Organizations In her remarks today to the Forum
for the Future, Secretary Clinton announced Civil Society 2.0, which will help
grassroots organizations around the world use digital technology to tell their
stories, build their memberships and support bases, and connect to their community
of peers around the world.
02 November 2009
Secretary Clinton's Remarks With Moroccan Foreign Minister Taieb Fassi-Fihri
in Marrakesh, Morocco
02 November 2009 Statement by Secretary Clinton
on the Middle East Clinton says Israelis express willingness to restrain settlement activity.
31 October 2009 Secretary Clinton's Remarks With Israeli Prime Minister Binyamin Netanyahu in
Jerusalem
29 October 2009 United States Pursuing Comprehensive Peace in Middle East Region The
issues, opportunities and challenges that the United States faces in the Middle
East are among the most consequential for its security and interests, says
U.S. Assistant Secretary of State Jeffrey Feltman.
29 October 2009 Secretary Clinton's Travel to the Middle East
28 October 2009
Secretary Clinton Remarks With Pakistani Foreign Minister Shah Mehmood Qureshi
27 October 2009 On-The-Record Briefing by Secretary Clinton En Route Islamabad, Pakistan
25 OCtober 2009 Secretary's Remarks: Bombings in Baghdad "I want to
personally express my heartfelt condolences to the victims of today’s
savage attacks in Baghdad and for the tragic loss of so many Iraqi lives. I
strongly condemn the bombings at the Iraqi Ministry of Justice and the headquarters
of the Baghdad Provincial Administration."
22 October 2009 Mideast Peace Requires Taking Risks,
Rice Tells Israelis The days when countries could pursue their own interests in isolation from
the needs of the global community are over, U.S. Ambassador to the United Nations
Susan Rice told an Israeli audience, and she also called for a relaunch of
peace negotiations between Israel and the Palestinians “without
preconditions” to resolve permanent-status issues between the two sides.
19 October 2009 U.S. Ambassador
to U.N. to Embark on Mideast Talks The U.S. ambassador to the United
Nations is traveling to Israel Monday in a bid to advance peace efforts in
the Middle East. During her three-day trip, Susan Rice is to hold bilateral
talks with Israeli Prime Minister Benjamin Netanyahu and Palestinian President
Mahmoud Abbas.She will also deliver remarks Wednesday at a conference hosted
by Israeli President Shimon Peres.
16 October 2009 U.S. Disappointed
by U.N. Council’s
Vote on Goldstone Report The United States is disappointed by the
decision of the U.N. Human Rights Council to endorse a report on the January
conflict between Israel and Hamas, saying the resolution approved in Geneva
was unbalanced and goes beyond the serious allegations that came out of the
U.N. inquiry, led by former South African judge Richard Goldstone. State Department
spokesman Ian Kelly said that the U.S. decision to vote against
the resolution “in no way diminishes the deep concern
that we have about the tragic events of last January” and the suffering
they caused to Palestinians in Gaza and Israelis in southern Israel.
15 October 2009 Ambassador Wolff Remarks to U.N. Security Council on Middle East Update on Special Envoy Mitchell’s
trip, two-state solution and peace.
24 September 2009 Joint Statement by the Quartet The Quartet welcomes the recent meetings between U.S. President Barack Obama, Israeli Prime Minister Benjamin Netanyahu, and Palestinian President Mahmoud Abbas as significant steps toward the re-launching of direct, bilateral negotiations as part of a comprehensive resolution of the Arab-Israeli conflict
22 September 2009 Give Mideast Talks a Chance for Success, Obama Tells Leaders President Obama says all sides in the Middle East conflict need to act “with a sense of urgency” to find a way forward to an Israeli-Palestinian peace agreement, and tells Israeli Prime Minister Benjamin Netanyahu and Palestinian Prime Minister Mahmoud Abbas that permanent status negotiations “must begin and begin soon.”
• Briefing by Special Envoy for Middle East Peace George Mitchell
15 September 2009 Secretary Clinton hosts State Department's Annual Iftar Dinner "This is an exciting evening for me. I think that American embassies have been holding Iftars for decades. Our diplomatic posts have held hundreds of events to celebrate Ramadan this year alone. And I am proud that we have so many Muslims serving in our Foreign Service and our Civil Service who are playing an important role in advancing our nation’s foreign policy interests and strengthening the bonds of cooperation and understanding with Muslims at home and abroad."
04 September 2009 White House Statement on Israeli Settlements United States does not accept legitimacy of continued settlement expansion.
26 August 2009 Meaningful Mideast Peace Talks Needed Israeli and Palestinian leaders need to resume “meaningful” negotiations to revive stalled peace talks, Israeli Prime Minister Benjamin Netanyahu and U.S. Special Envoy George Mitchell said after a lengthy meeting in London.
26 August 2009 Joint Statement by U.S. Special Envoy for Middle East Peace and Israeli Prime Minister
18 August 2009 U.S., Egypt Working to Restart Palestinian-Israeli Peace Process President Obama says that he and Egyptian President Hosni Mubarak are working to jump-start resumption of the Palestinian-Israeli peace process.
04 August 2009 Obama Administration Reaches Out to Muslims Worldwide President Obama has said he seeks a new beginning with Muslims worldwide "based upon mutual interest and mutual respect" and also "based upon the truth that America and Islam are not exclusive, and need not be in competition." Secretary of State Hillary Rodham Clinton echoed Obama's commitment.
03 August 2009 Israel's Evictions in East Jerusalem "Provocative," Clinton Says The eviction of Palestinian families and demolition of their homes by Israeli authorities in East Jerusalem is "deeply regrettable," says Secretary of State Hillary Rodham Clinton, who adds that such unilateral action cannot be used to prejudge the outcome of peace negotiations.
28 July 2009 Special Envoy Mitchell Cites Progress in U.S.-Israel Talks The United States and Israel reported progress in talks on the Middle East peace process July 28 after a meeting between U.S. Special Envoy George Mitchell and Israeli Prime Minister Benjamin Netanyahu. "We have made good progress," Mitchell told reporters in Jerusalem following a two-hour meeting with Netanyahu.
24 July 2009 United States Transfers $200 Million to Palestinian Authority The United States is transferring $200 million to the Palestinian Authority to help support its budget needs, Secretary of State Hillary Clinton says. "I wanted personally to announce the delivery of budget support to the Palestinian Authority, under the leadership of President [Mahmoud] Abbas and Prime Minister [Salam] Fayyad, because of what is at stake for the Palestinian people, for the future of a Palestinian state, for the future security of Israel and for the region is so critical," Clinton said.
02 July 2009 Polls Show Vast Support for Two-State Mideast Peace Solution Opinion polls of Israelis, Palestinians and Americans have found substantial support for a two-state solution to the Palestinian-Israeli conflict. Overall, the survey established that while favorable attitudes toward Israel remain strong, pluralities of Americans believe that President Obama should pursue a policy less supportive of Israel than his predecessor.
26 June 2009 Quartet Statement from the Meeting in Trieste The Quartet affirmed its determination to actively and vigorously seek a comprehensive resolution of the Arab-Israeli conflict, on the basis of UN Security Council Resolutions 242, 338, 1397, 1515, 1850, the Madrid principles including land for peace, the Roadmap, and the agreements previously reached between the parties.
26 June 2009 Secretary Clinton Appoints Farah Pandith to Head New Office of The United States Representative to Muslim Communities Secretary of State Hillary Rodham Clinton has asked Farah Pandith to head the new Office of the United States Special Representative to Muslim Communities. Special Representative Farah Pandith and her staff (S/SRMC) will be responsible for executing the Administration’s efforts to engage with Muslims around the world on a people-to-people and organizational level.
24 June 2009 Military Leaders from U.S., Gulf States Discuss Security Threats U.S. Defense Secretary Robert Gates told military leaders from the Gulf region that today's security environment in the Gulf poses dilemmas and opportunities that span all borders.
24 June 2009 New U.S. Special Representative Announced for Muslim Outreach Secretary of State Hillary Rodham Clinton has appointed Farah Pandith to serve as special representative to Muslim communities, in charge of a new office that is responsible for outreach with Muslims around the world.
23 June 2009 Gulf Nations Support of Iraq Contains Iran Defense Secretary Robert M. Gates today urged Persian Gulf countries to work together and with the United States on securing Iraq and containing Iranian ambitions.
17 June 2009 Remarks by Secretary Clinton, Israeli Foreign Minister Lieberman Diplomats discuss a range of issues, including Mideast peace talks and Iran.
16 June 2009 United States Seeks Early Conclusion of Mideast Peace Talks President Obama’s special envoy for Middle East peace, George Mitchell, says he believes there is a realistic chance of accommodating Israel’s desire for security with the Palestinian desire for an independent state, and says the United States is currently focused on the resumption and “early conclusion” of meaningful negotiations.
• Briefing by Special Envoy George Mitchell
Speaking to reporters at the State Department June 16, Mitchell said Obama and Secretary of State Hillary Rodham Clinton clearly have stated that “the only viable resolution to this conflict is for the aspirations of both sides to be met through two states.”
15 June 2009 U.S. Welcomes Israeli Leader's Endorsement of Palestinian State The U.S. welcomes Israeli Prime Minister Benjamin Netanyahu’s endorsement of the goal of establishing a Palestinian state, describing it as an "important step forward," and says President Obama will continue working with Israel, the Palestinians and others to achieve a two-state solution, as well as a comprehensive regional peace between Israel and its neighbors.
10 June 2009 U.S. Seeks Rapid Resumption of Middle East Peace Talks The United States seeks a quick resumption and an early conclusion to the Israeli-Palestinian peace talks, U.S. Special Envoy George Mitchell says. Mitchell’s visit to the West Bank city of Ramallah, the headquarters of the Palestinian Authority, is part of President Obama’s efforts to reinvigorate negotiations that ultimately would lead to the creation of a Palestinian state living at peace alongside Israel — often referred to as the "two-state solution."
08 June 2009 Commitment to Democracy Seen in High Lebanese Election Turnout Pledging to continue U.S. support for Lebanese sovereignty, President Obama congratulated Lebanon’s people for holding a peaceful parliamentary election that he says demonstrated their courage and their strong commitment to democracy.
27 May 2009 Remarks by Secretary Clinton, Egyptian Foreign Minister Gheit Diplomats discuss relations, Middle East peace process and North Korea.
22 May 2009 Biden: The Future of Lebanon Is for the People to Decide Vice President Biden reaffirmed U.S. support for the Lebanese government, and also encouraged the Lebanese people to hold fair, free and open parliamentary elections June 7 that reflect their will. At a brief press conference May 22 at the Presidential Palace in Baabda, east of the Lebanese capital Beirut, Biden said that he was not there to offer support for any particular political party or candidate.
18 May 2009 Obama, Israeli Prime Minister Netanyahu Discuss Peace Process President Obama and Israeli Prime Minister Benjamin Netanyahu discussed the stalled Israeli-Palestinian peace talks, Iran’s pursuit of a nuclear weapons program and strengthening the U.S.-Israeli relationship in their first meeting as heads of state.
Both Obama and Netanyahu acknowledged that for peace to be achieved, peace talks must resume.
15 May 2009 Obama to Stress Two-State Solution with Netanyahu May 18 President Obama will welcome newly elected Israeli Prime Minister Benjamin Netanyahu to the White House May 18, beginning the first of three separate high-stakes consultations to refocus the stalled Israeli-Palestinian peace process.
12 May 2009 Statement on White House Visit of Middle East Leaders President Obama to discuss achieving peace in the Middle East.
07 May 2009 Remarks on Lebanon by Ambassador Rice at U.N. Security Council Calls for full implementation of Resolution 1559 until requirements are met.
05 May 2009 Biden Urges Israel to End Settlements, Back Two-State Solution The status quo that has existed in the Middle East over the past 10 years has not served the interests of the United States or Israel, Vice President Biden told U.S. supporters of Israel. There are obligations to be met by all parties to bring peace efforts to a successful conclusion, Biden said, and those include the Palestinian Authority’s fight against terror and incitement against Israel, and Israel’s work toward a two-state solution with the Palestinians and an end to its building of settlements.
27 April 2009 United States Supports Free, Independent, Sovereign Lebanon The U.S. supports a free, independent and sovereign Lebanon and parliamentary elections there in June that are without intimidation and outside influence, Secretary of State Hillary Rodham Clinton says.
21 April 2009 United States Will Be Engaged in Arab-Israeli Peace Process The prospect of an Arab-Israeli peace still exists, but will require some difficult choices, says President Obama. At a brief White House news conference, Obama said that achieving a lasting peace and the creation of a Palestinian state requires resolution on the part of all involved parties.
25 March 2009 United States Committed to Free, Democratic Lebanon Renewed engagement with Syria will not supplant America's unwavering support for a free, democratic Lebanon, says a top U.S. diplomat. Such support is a key component to lasting peace and security in the Middle East, adds acting Assistant Secretary of State Jeffrey Feltman.
09 March 2009 U.S. Envoys Meet with Syrian Officials Representatives of the United States and Syria held comprehensive and constructive talks in Damascus, Syria, and found considerable common ground on an array of issues, a senior U.S. diplomat says.
04 March 2009 Time Is of the Essence for Palestinian State, Says Clinton America strongly supports the creation of a future Palestinian state, Secretary of State Hillary Rodham Clinton says, pledging to work for peace by engaging a new Israeli government on halting settlement expansion and easing border restrictions.
02 March 2009 United States Pledges $900 Million for Palestinians Saying time is of the essence, the United States pledged $900 million in humanitarian aid for the Palestinians at an international conference in Egypt.
• Fact Sheet: United States Assistance to the Palestinians
February 2009
27 February 2009 Clinton Leaves for Middle East, Europe for Extended Talks Secretary of State Hillary Rodham Clinton is beginning a series of official visits to the Middle East and to Europe aimed at restarting Mideast peace talks and boosting trans-Atlantic relations. Clinton begins the trip March 2 at the Egyptian Red Sea resort of Sharm el-Sheikh at a donors conference for Gaza.
17 February 2009 A North Korean Missile Launch Would Be Unhelpful, Clinton Says A long-range ballistic missile launch by North Korea would prove unhelpful in enhancing sensitive U.S. and North Korean relations, Secretary of State Hillary Rodham Clinton says.
13 February 2009 U.S. Wants Rigorous, Persistent Engagement in Asia, Clinton Says Secretary of State Hillary Rodham Clinton says that the U.S. wants a more rigorous and persistent commitment and engagement with East Asia across an array of issues from the current economic crisis to nuclear proliferation, climate change, clean energy, health and income.
09 February 2009 Biden Says Finding Lasting Mideast Peace Requires Collaboration Vice President Biden says it will take close collaboration among Arab and European partners and the United States to find a resolution to the vexing challenges of creating a lasting Middle East peace.
05 February 2009 Clinton To Make First Foreign Mission to East Asia Secretary of State Hillary Rodham Clinton will address a broad range of issues, from economics to climate change, during an eight-day, four-nation trip through East Asia, a State Department official says.
03 February 2009 Special Envoy Mitchell to Return to Middle East This Month
Middle East special envoy George Mitchell is beginning what will become high-level engagement by the United States in trying to end the conflict between Israel and the Palestinians, says Secretary of State Hillary Clinton.
02 February 2009 Gaza Truce Remains Fragile, Say U.S. Officials As President Obama's Middle East envoy completes his first round of regional consultations, continued violence in the Gaza Strip threatens international peacemaking efforts, says State Department acting spokesman Robert Wood.
January 2009
30 January 2009 United States Humanitarian Support to Palestinians
29 January 2009 U.S. Envoy Expresses Concern for Loss of Palestinian Lives The United States is concerned about the loss of Palestinian lives and the pressing humanitarian needs in the Gaza Strip in the aftermath of a 22-day conflict between Israeli and Hamas forces, U.S. Middle East special envoy George Mitchell says.
• 29 January 2009 Statement by Middle East Peace Envoy George Mitchell in Ramallah Envoy urges sustainable, durable cease-fire to achieve two-state solution.
28 January 2009 Middle East Envoy Calls for Strengthened Gaza Cease-Fire A lasting Gaza cease-fire must be based on an end to arms smuggling to Hamas and a reopening of blockaded borders, says George Mitchell, U.S. special envoy for Middle East peace.
27 January 2009 Obama Pledges New American Partnership in Middle East President Obama says that the United States “offers a hand of friendship” to the Middle East and broader Muslim world and wants a new relationship firmly rooted in mutual respect and mutual interests. “What you’ll see is someone who is listening,” he said.
26 January 2009 Interview of the President by Hisham Melhem, Al Arabiya
26 January 2009 President Sends Special Envoy Mitchell to Middle East One of the key missions of Middle East special envoy George Mitchell's trip to the region will be to consolidate the cease-fire after the three-week-old Gaza conflict, a State Department spokesman says, and to ensure progress toward Middle East peace.
• State Department Daily Press Briefing
22 January 2009 Obama Pledges "Active Engagement" on Middle East Peace President Obama has reached out to Middle East leaders to emphasize that progress toward peace in the region will be among his administration’s top foreign policy priorities. "He used this opportunity on his first day in office to communicate his commitment to active engagement in pursuit of Arab-Israeli peace from the beginning of his term," said White House spokesman Robert Gibbs.
22 January 2009 Obama Names Special Envoys for Middle East, Afghanistan-Pakistan President Obama joined Secretary of State Hillary Clinton January 22 to announce former Senator George Mitchell as his special envoy to the Middle East peace process and Ambassador Richard Holbrooke as his special representative to Afghanistan and Pakistan — moves that underscore the new administration's commitment to renewing America's leadership through reinvigorated diplomacy.
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Middle East