09 February 2009
Biden Says Finding Lasting Mideast Peace Requires Collaboration
Also says clear goals sought for U.S. policies in Afghanistan, Pakistan
Washington — Vice President Biden says it will take close collaboration among Arab and European partners and the United States to find a resolution to the vexing challenges of creating a lasting Middle East peace.
“In the near term, we must consolidate the cease-fire in Gaza by working with Egypt and others to stop smuggling, and developing an international relief and reconstruction effort that strengthens the Palestinian Authority, and not Hamas,” Biden said February 7 at the 45th annual Munich Conference on Security Policy.
“Then, we must lay the foundation for a broader peacemaking effort.”
In his address to a gathering of more than 300 government officials, foreign and defense policy experts and journalists to discuss trans-Atlantic security issues that often stretch well beyond Europe, Biden set out in broad strokes the Obama administration's worldview and the principles that will guide its foreign policymaking.
Among the issues Biden discussed, both in his prepared remarks and in bilateral meetings held February 7 and February 8 in Munich, was the future of Israeli-Palestinian peace negotiations and the challenges of Afghanistan and Pakistan.
“In both these efforts, America seeks your partnership,” Biden said. “Neither of these goals can be accomplished without close collaboration among the United States, Europe and our Arab partners.”
Biden said it is long past the time to secure a just, two-state solution between the Israelis and Palestinians. “We will work to achieve it. And we'll work to defeat extremists who perpetuate the conflict,” he said.
In addition, the United States will work toward a broader regional peace between Israel and its Arab neighbors, he said.
AFGHANISTAN AND PAKISTAN STRATEGIC REVIEW
President Obama has ordered a strategic review of U.S. policies in Afghanistan and Pakistan, Biden said, to determine if U.S. goals are clear and if they are achievable. As the review is being undertaken, the United States is seeking ideas and input from all its partners and allies.
“We are sincere in seeking your counsel,” Biden told the security conference. “The result must be a comprehensive strategy for which we all take responsibility that brings together our civilian and military resources, that prevents terrorists a safe haven, that helps the Afghan people develop the capacity to secure their own future.”
However, Biden said, no strategy for Afghanistan can succeed without Pakistan. “We must all strengthen our cooperation with the people and government of Pakistan, help them stabilize their Tribal Areas, promote economic development and opportunity throughout their country,” he said.
Biden said that to help the United States develop the best course of action in the region the president named two tenacious diplomats to advance the process: former Senator George Mitchell as special envoy for Middle East peace and Ambassador Richard Holbrooke as special representative to Afghanistan and Pakistan.
Mitchell just completed a visit to the Middle East, and Holbrooke began his mission to Afghanistan and Pakistan on February 9. Holbrooke arrived in Islamabad on a three-nation trip that will also include India.
ACROSS THE MIDDLE EAST
Biden told the security conference that the United States does not believe there is a clash of civilizations or that such a clash is inevitable. “We do see a shared struggle against extremism — and we'll do everything in our collective power to help the forces of tolerance prevail,” he said.
“America will extend a hand to those who, as the president said, will unclench their fist.”
A transcript of Biden's remarks is available on America.gov.
What foreign affairs actions should President Obama consider? Comment on America.gov's blog.
