Middle East News
Merkel meets Rice, sees movement in Mideast conflict (Roundup)
Jan 18, 2007, 12:30 GMT
Berlin - US Secretary of State Condoleezza Rice briefed German Chancellor Angela Merkel on Thursday on the outcome of her latest trip to the Middle East.
Merkel said ahead of the meeting at the chancellor's office that the European Union was ready to work together with other states to revive the Mideast peace process.
'I have the impression that there has been some movement on the issue of the Israeli-Palestinian conflict,' Merkel said.
Sources said the two wanted explore ways to promote a rapprochement between the Israeli government of Prime Minister Ehud Olmert and Palestinian President Mahmoud Abbas.
Merkel made a revival of the Mideast peace process a key goal of the EU's foreign policy during Germany's current presidency of the 27-nation bloc.
Rice said after her arrival in Berlin on Wednesday that the Mideast Quartet comprised of Russia, the United States, the UN and the European Union was likely to meet early next month in a bid to kickstart Middle East peace talks.
Merkel said Germany would take part in the meeting in its capacity as EU president.
Rice, who met Wednesday with German Foreign Minister Frank-Walter Steinmeier, described the quartet as 'the guardian' of international efforts to achieve peace between Israel and the Palestinians.
Rice added that the quartet would meet in Washington during the week beginning January 29, probably on February 1 or 2.
After her talks with Merkel, the US Secretary of State planned to head to London to brief British Prime Minister Tony Blair on her tour of the Middle East, which took her to Israel, Jordan, the Palestinian territories, Egypt, Saudi Arabia and Kuwait.
© 2007 dpa - Deutsche Presse-AgenturCOMMENT
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Older Talkback
page: 1
We all know that Bush & Co. is heading for more-war. Strange that out of the blue Rice can pull a rabbit-out-of-a-hat-peace-deal that looks promising. This ME conflict has been going on for many years. With the tide moving against Bush & Co. and expiry time getting closer, he is desperate for Israel to attack Iran asap, before the tide washes him away. This road map for peace spin could help Israel gather enough courage to go in with the nukes.
I am very glad to see the EU move into the arena of talks. This is going to force the US/Israel alliance to comply with the rules that have been set down. We here in the US must insist that Israel comply with the rules and the US should stop sending any money to Israel unless they behave in an appropriate manner.
'I am very glad to see the EU move into the arena of talks. This is going to force the US/Israel alliance to comply with the rules that have been set down. '
The EU is setting down rules?
Well, the rating is not that great for Dubya. They need to increase the level troops to attack Iran so they can steal the oil and stop Iran from trading in Euros.
Palestine and Israel situation has to be cooled down since Israel would take big part in the war with Iran! Once the war is over, Israel will start screwing it's neighbors and steal lands!
Rice going around keeps the people focused away from the ground realities.
'They need to increase the level troops to attack Iran so they can steal the oil and stop Iran from trading in Euros.'
Every time I see that nonsense I have to laugh at these internet myths. You can buy oil in euros, you can buy Canadian oil in Canadian dollars, you can trade just about any commodity in any exchange rate. Stop reading nonsense that hasn't been valid since 1986 and go out and get a credit card.
Bull, '...laugh at these internet myths.'. I would recommend you do a bit more research, try google for 'iran petrodollar'.
' I would recommend you do a bit more research, try google for 'iran petrodollar'.'
I am familiar with the concept, I recognize that it is nonsense. Countries don't have to hold large curriency reserves to trade in US dollars like they did 20 years ago since the loosening of international banking regulations started by Reagen and accelerated by Clinton. Electronic banking has also made it unnecessary as people all over the world can tap into reserves in New York, London or Zürich, ect. Have you ever bought anything using a charge card in another country? Did you have to hold hard cash currency reserves to do it? You can already trade oil in other currencies. Everyone world wide, especially the USA would have to renounce US dollars over a short period of time for us to take a hit. It isn't going to happen. If it were to happen it would cause a world wide depression. Really, the petrodollar thing is an Asia Times pipe dream.
A spike in oil prices due to supply constrictions caused by another war would do more harm to our economy then Iran trading in Euros.
Bull: I bet you voted for Bush in the last election!!
Back to the original topic, war between Iran and Israel is inevitable. A suppossed 'peace process' or 'roadmap to peace' as currently agreed upon is what truly is a 'pipe dream'. To expect any country to continue to give up lands for peace, which over the last 12 years has manifested itself as missiles being lobbed into civilian areas and kidnappings of civilians and soilders, is insane. And now a Hitler like leader who wishes to erase history on one hand while promising to out do the history he denies on the other is developing, at least, or already has, at worst, the delivery system and the weapon to accomplish such a goal. The only issue that remains is whose side will we be on?
page: 1
DaveJan 18th, 2007 - 14:42:28
Why does she have to 'brief' anyone? Why can't these people get on the phone and talk directly to the same people? Another example of 'busyness' passing for actual accomplishment or progress. It is all political window dressing and whitewash for a situation that is out of control. Hey, Condi, save the taxpayers several thousand dollars and just stay home. Use your phone.
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