Interview With Ziad Halabi of Al-Arabiya

QUESTION: So this is the timetable now, 14 months?

SECRETARY RICE: No, no, no. It's only our -- the fact that in 14 months, we will be done, so it's our timetable. But no, I think the wise thing here is for us to go to the Annapolis meeting by the end of the year, for the parties to demonstrate that they believe that they have a basis for moving forward, and then to help them to -- on the day after Annapolis, take whatever next steps they need to take to establish the state.

QUESTION: Madame Rice, is -- how far you actually intervene in the talks that they -- themselves? Do you propose ideas, do you impose ones, or do you just encourage the parties to go on -- at all?

SECRETARY RICE: Well, it's a little bit of encouraging and a little bit of talking about ideas. We can't impose a solution on anybody. It's -- this is -- these are democratically elected --

QUESTION: (Inaudible.)

SECRETARY RICE: Well, these are democratically elected leaders and we can't impose a solution. What we can do, though, is to help the parties bridge their differences, to help them move toward each other, to -- when we -- when it is needed, to offer ideas. But in this particular point in time, I've seen the great commitment and seriousness of the parties and that is what I've been trying to encourage and to help move ahead.

QUESTION: Annapolis meeting, is it meant to be -- to lay principles for a solution between Palestinians and Israelis? Or it's meant to be a whole lasting and comprehensive peace in the region? That's leading me -- what about, for example, the Syrian role? You know, they are a key player of this.

SECRETARY RICE: Yes. Well, this meeting is devoted to the Palestinian-Israeli track because that is the track that has some momentum now because of the discussions that Prime Minister Olmert and President Abbas have been having. But of course, ultimately, there has to be a comprehensive peace in the Middle East. We're -- we are committed to that through the roadmap and that means that eventually, there has to be a solution along the other tracks as well. So while we concentrate on the Palestinian-Israeli issue because that is the track that is most advanced, no one denies that there needs to be a comprehensive -- comprehensive peace.

QUESTION: The roadmap certainly seems to be that there is a lot of differences between the Israelis and the Palestinians and -- towards the first phase of the roadmap. Do you see yourself or the Administration in a position that can notify who did what in this stage of the roadmap and what -- where does it stand in your planned meeting in the falll?

SECRETARY RICE: Well, it -- the parties have said that they want to commit, again, to their obligations under the first phase of the roadmap. They know very well what they are. However, it will be helpful to have an outside party, I think, to help them to understand how well they are meeting those obligations. It was envisioned in the roadmap that that would be the case and the United States is more than happy to help play that role.

QUESTION: Some say that actually and practically, maybe they -- the summit or the meeting is declaring a new front against Iran in the region with the Saudis, with the Israelis, the Palestinians and so on. What do you say about that?

SECRETARY RICE: I would say that this is a meeting that is going to declare for peace and if that's against the interests of anyone, then they should say so, but I would hope that it's in the interests of everyone to have the parties that you named and others to declare that it is time for peace.

This is a conflict that has gone on an awfully long time. People have tried to resolve it many, many times and yet, we haven't been able to do it. And I've asked myself, why is that the case, and we have to lay the foundation. That's why the discussions that the Prime Minister and President Abbas have been having are so important.

But it is also important that the Arab states that will have to support difficult decisions that any leader will have to take and the international community that will have to support difficult decisions that any leader will take -- that we gather together in Annapolis to demonstrate that we will support the parties in making the painful decisions, the painful choices that they will have to make.

QUESTION: And don't you think maybe a crazy idea to invite, for example, Iran? Because it has -- it can influence the results --

SECRETARY RICE: Well --

QUESTION: -- on the ground.

SECRETARY RICE: The President was clear in his statement of July 16th that states that are committed to the two-state solution, to the roadmap would be invited. The problem is, of course, Iran is not only not committed to a two-state solution, but has said that Israel essentially has no right to exist, so I don't think there's much ground for a compromise there.

QUESTION: Thank you, Madame Secretary.

SECRETARY RICE: Thank you very much.

2007/T18-10