Exerpts: October 21 Press Briefing

Mr. Boucher: Assistant Secretary Bill Burns was in Jordan on Saturday, Saudi Arabia yesterday and today. He'll continue his travel to Syria later today. Lebanon -- and then he goes on to Lebanon, Israel and the West Bank, Yemen, Oman, the United Arab Emirates, Qatar, Bahrain and Kuwait.

His discussions with Quartet counterparts in Paris last week were very constructive. He is continuing his consultations with key Arab partners in the region and with the parties themselves on finalizing elements for a roadmap that would realize the President's vision of a final settlement based on two states living side by side in peace and security.

Question: Do you have anything specific about Saudi Arabia, talking about Iraq?

Mr. Boucher: I'm sure he'll be talking about Iraq and all the issues in the region as he goes, but this trip -- certainly coming from Paris with the Quartet meeting and then going on, a lot of the work he's doing is on the roadmap and how to achieve the President's vision.

__________________________

Mr. Boucher: Just like the White House made clear, we condemn this latest terrorist attack on a bus in Northern Israel in the strongest possible terms. We understand the attack has killed at least eight and wounded at least 20. Our deepest condolences go out to the victims and their families.

And once again, we urgently call on the Palestinians to do all they can to end immediately the terror and violence that has so undermined Palestinian national aspirations. We also continue to urge both sides to take immediate steps to ease the situation and refrain from words and actions that inflame tensions. We also urge the Israelis to take immediate steps to prevent further civilian casualties in their operations and to facilitate the movement of those in need for medical attention, humanitarian personnel and vehicles.

Question: Do you think that the Palestinian Authority was lax in any way and played any part in making it possible for this operation to --

Mr. Boucher: We think that, for a long time now, the Palestinian Authority has been lax in stopping terrorism within their areas and that they need to do that.