Bush, Merkel pledge cooperation on Mideast conflict

By Mike McCarthy Jan 5, 2007, 8:09 GMT

Washington - US President George W Bush and German Chancellor Angela Merkel pledged Thursday to closely cooperate in trying to resolve the long running Israeli-Palestinian conflict.

The two leaders discussed the Middle East conflict at the White House, as well as Iran's nuclear programme, the conflicts in Afghanistan and Iraq, and energy and trade policies.

Bush said he agreed with Merkel about the need to convene a meeting of the so-called Mideast quartet of the European Union, the United Nations, Russia and the United States, formed years ago to draw up the 'roadmap' peace plan for the Israelis and Palestinians.

'The quartet ought to meet at an appropriate time,' Bush said, adding that he was optimistic that the goal of creating a Palestinian state neighbouring Israel was still achievable.

US Secretary of State Condoleezza Rice will be heading to the region in the near future and will keep Merkel informed of developments on her visit, Bush said.

Merkel's country assumed the rotating leaderships of the European Union and Group of Eight nations at the beginning of this year and has outlined a far-reaching agenda - including a resumption of the Middle East peace process.

The previous German government opposed Bush's invasion of Iraq in March 2003, but Merkel said her country would work through diplomacy to help stabilize war-torn Iraq.

'We have every interest in seeing Iraq taking a turn for a more peaceful development, where people no longer need to be in fear for their lives,' Merkel said through a translator. 'Politically, we shall do everything we can in order to give support to such a positive development.'

She flew from Berlin to Washington promising to explore ways to enhance trans-Atlantic economic ties and break down trade barriers. Merkel said that she wanted to establish a US-EU working group to address trade issues including patent laws, international financial markets and protection of intellectual property rights.

'It's certainly an uphill battle,' she said. 'I always describe it as a sort of thick board that needs to be chopped at.'

Bush said he opposed expanding the mandate of the Mideast quartet to include the instability in Lebanon and Syria's alleged meddling in the war-torn country.

'My view is the quartet ought to stay focused on the Israeli- Palestinian issue,' he said. 'Because when we solve that problem, a lot of other problems will be easier to solve.'

Bush has previously rebuffed suggestions that his administration hold high-level talks with the Syrians, and repeated Thursday that Syria understands the demands of the international community.

'Syria knows exactly what she needs to do in order to ... be viewed as a nation that's constructive,' he said.

Merkel said the Middle East conflict should be the 'first and foremost' priority for the quartet. 'The quartet actually has its work cut out for it,' she said.

Nations in the region must be committed to finding a solution before other countries can have a more helpful role, she said.

'The players in the region need to have the necessary willingness to bring about a solution,' she said.

'I think Syria needs to be given a push' with regard to Lebanon, she added. 'We expect Syria to change. But unfortunately, so far, we haven't received any optimistic messages to that effect.'