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Cheney Backs Israel
Over "Security"
Mr Cheney said the US was dedicated to the peace process
US Vice-President Dick Cheney has given strong backing to Israel
ahead of talks with Palestinian leaders.
By The BBC
23/03/08"BBC" ---- Mr Cheney said the US would never put any
pressure on Israel over issues he said would threaten its
security.
Speaking in a news conference with Israeli Prime Minister Ehud
Olmert, he described America's commitment to Israel's security
as "unshakeable".
Mr Cheney will visit the West Bank town of Ramallah on Sunday
for talks with Palestinian leaders.
"America's commitment to Israel's security is enduring and
unshakeable, as is our commitment to Israel's right to defend
itself - always - against terrorism, rocket attacks and other
threats from forces dedicated to Israel's destruction," Mr
Cheney said.
"The United States will never pressure Israel to take steps to
threaten its security."
Peace efforts
Mr Cheney reaffirmed Washington's commitment to the
establishment of a Palestinian state and said Palestinian
leaders could be "certain of America's goodwill".
"We want to see a resolution to the conflict, an end to the
terrorism that has caused so much grief to Israelis, and a new
beginning for the Palestinian people," he sa
Mr Cheney said history had shown that "Israelis are prepared
to make wrenching national sacrifices on behalf of peace" when
encountered by Arab partners "who accepted Israel's permanence
and are willing and capable of delivering on their commitments".
The vice-president attended an Easter Mass in Jerusalem and
met more Israeli officials before his visit to Ramallah.
In a meeting with Israeli President Shimon Peres, he
reiterated Washington's commitment to the Middle East peace
process.
"We're obviously dedicated to doing all we can as an
administration to try to move the peace process forward and also
obviously actively involved in dealing with the threats we see
emerging in the region," he said.
In Ramallah, Mr Cheney is due to meet Palestinian President
Mahmoud Abbas and Palestinian Prime Minister Salam Fayyad.
'Darkening shadows'
US President George W Bush has said he hopes for a peace deal
before he leaves office in January.
Both Mr Cheney and Mr Olmert referred to regional tensions in
the Middle East.
"We must not, and will not, ignore the darkening shadows of
the situations in Gaza, in Lebanon, in Syria and in Iran and the
forces there that are working to derail the hopes of the world,"
Mr Cheney said shortly after landing in Israel.
Mr Olmert said that there were "many items on the common
agenda" of the US and Israel including Iran and carrying on
peace negotiations with Palestinians.
"We are watching very carefully the northern front, the
behaviour of Syria, and Hezbollah," he added.
Hamas spokesman Fawzi Barhoum called Mr Cheney's comments
"completely biased in favour of the Israeli occupation".
He said they confirmed that the US "is a partner to Israel in
its war against our people and against the Gaza Strip".
The BBC's Tim Franks in Jerusalem says Israelis and
Palestinians are sceptical about the chances for peace.
Opinion polls suggest that most people doubt that the current
talks, given an extra push by the Americans at the end of last
year, will lead to a deal any time soon, he says.
Mr Cheney will visit Turkey before returning to Washington.
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