Obama says Mideast peace talks should resume

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Obama says Mideast peace talks should resume

1/27/2009 10:24:13 AM

U.S. President Barack Obama said on Monday Israel and the Palestinians should resume peace negotiations, and he praised Saudi King Abdullah for putting forward an Arab plan for peace in the Middle East.

Obama, in his first interview with Arab television since becoming U.S. president, told al-Arabiya his administration would adopt a more comprehensive approach in its relations with the Muslim world.

"It is impossible for us to think only in terms of the Palestinian-Israeli conflict and not think in terms of what's happening with Syria or Iran or Lebanon or Afghanistan and Pakistan," Obama told the Dubai-based Arabic cable channel. "These things are interrelated."

The new U.S. president, who took office last Tuesday, said he had begun to fulfill his campaign promises by naming former U.S. Sen. George Mitchell as Mideast peace envoy and sending him to the region within days of becoming president. Mitchell was traveling to the region on Monday evening.

"Sending George Mitchell to the Middle East is fulfilling my campaign promise that we're not going to wait until the end of my administration to deal with Palestinian and Israeli peace. We're going to start now," Obama said.

He said his administration wanted to begin by listening and talking to those involved in the conflict without prejudging their concerns.

"Ultimately we cannot tell either the Israelis or the Palestinians what is best for them," Obama said. "They are going to have to make some decisions."

"But I do believe that the moment is ripe for both sides to realize that the path that they are on is one that is not going to result in prosperity and security for their people. And that instead, it's time to return to the negotiating table."

Source: Washingtonpost.com

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