Special report:
Palestine-Israel
Relations
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Palestinian President Mahmoud Abbas (R)
shakes hands with U.S. Democratic presidential candidate Senator Barack
Obama (D-IL) during their meeting at the Palestinian Authority
headquarters in the West Bank city of Ramallah July 23, 2008.
(Xinhua/Reuters Photo)
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RAMALLAH, July 23 (Xinhua) -- Palestinian President
Mahmoud Abbas received the U.S. Democrat presidential nominee Barack Obama at
his office in Ramallah on Wednesday afternoon.
There was no scheduled joint news conference between
Abbas and Obama, an aide to Abbas told reporters in Ramallah, adding that both
held talks for about one hour and discussed the Middle East peace process.
Palestinian negotiator Saeb Erekat told reporters at
the end of the meeting that Obama has assured Abbas that he will get involved in
the Mideast conflict quickly if elected U.S. president.
Erekat said that Obama is willing to engage
immediately in the protracted conflict, adding that "Obama confirmed to Abbas
that he will be a constructive partner in the peace process."
"President Abbas welcomes this important visit and
considers it evidence of the importance of the Palestinian issue in American
foreign policy," he said, adding "Obama told Abbas he would not waste a minute
if elected."
Obama caused outrage among the Palestinians in early
June when he told a major U.S. pro-Israel lobbying group that Jerusalem must
remain the "undivided" capital. The Palestinians want the eastern part of the
city as the capital of their state.
The international community including the U.S. does
not recognize the city as the eternal capital of the Jewish state. Israel claims
that Arab east Jerusalem, which was annexed in the 1967, is part of the
undivided city.
Obama, however, corrected his
statements and said that the future of the city can be resolved through peace
negotiations between Israel and the Palestinians.
Obama reiterates commitment to
Israel's security
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U.S. Democratic presidential candidate
Senator Barack Obama (D-IL) (2nd L) meets Israel's President Shimon Peres
(2nd R) in Jerusalem July 23, 2008.(Xinhua/Reuters Photo)
Photo Gallery>>> |
JERUSALEM, July 23 (Xinhua) -- Visiting U.S. Democratic
presidential candidate Barack Obama on Wednesday assured Israeli officials that
he is committed to the Jewish state's security.
"I'm here on this trip to reaffirm the special
relationship between Israel and the United States and my abiding commitment to
Israel's security and my hope that I can serve as an effective partner, whether
as a U.S. senator or as president," Israeli daily Ha'aretz quoted Obama as
saying at a meeting with Israeli President Shimon Peres. Full story
Obama vows active involvement in
Mideast peace process amid overseas tour
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U.S. Democratic presidential candidate
Senator Barack Obama (C) speaks during a news conference at the Amman
Citadel, an ancient Roman landmark, in Amman, Jordan, July 22,
2008. (Xinhua/Reuters Photo)
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AMMAN, July 22 (Xinhua) -- Visiting U.S. Democratic
presidential candidate Barack Obama vowed here Tuesday to admit the difficulties
facing Palestinians and actively involve in the Middle East peace process if
elected in November.
He made the remarks during a press conference after
arriving in Jordan's capital of Amman, the third stop in his high-profile
Mideast and Europe tour.Full story
