Press Availability in TokyoSecretary Condoleezza RiceTokyo, Japan February 28, 2008 SECRETARY RICE: I just had about an hour-long breakfast with Prime Minister Olmert. We had an opportunity to review the state of affairs on a number of issues. I, once again, said to the Prime Minister that we were all sorry about the death of the Israeli university student in Sderot and affirmed to him that we will continue to state clearly that the rocket attacks against Israel need to stop.
We also talked about the situation in Gaza. I again reiterated our concerns for the humanitarian circumstances there and the need to find a more durable solution to the question of the passages. We obviously talked about the peace process, about the negotiations that are going on. And the Prime Minister confirmed again his commitment to try to move those forward. We had a brief time just to talk also about the roadmap obligations. I’ll – we’ll have a more extensive discussion of that when I’m in Israel. And I look forward to seeing him again in a few days. So it was a good chance just to review where we are. But I think the remarkable commitment of the Prime Minister and indeed President Abbas to try to move forward on the Annapolis process, despite the considerable difficulties, that’s what I really (inaudible). So it was a good conversation. QUESTION: A quick thing about Gaza? SECRETARY RICE: Yes. MR. MCCORMACK: We’ll just take two quick questions. SECRETARY RICE: Two quick questions, because we have to go. We have to go home, please. QUESTION: (Inaudible). There’s been collateral damage in Gaza, including the death of the six-month-old baby, according to our reports and five other civilians. Did you raise any concerns about that? SECRETARY RICE: As I said, I’m concerned about the humanitarian condition there and innocent people in the Gaza who are being hurt. We have to remember that the Hamas activities there are responsible for what has happened in Gaza, the illegal coup that they led against the Palestinian Authority institutions, the legitimate institutions of the Palestinian Authority. And so it’s very clear where this started. But of course, we are concerned about the innocent people and we are concerned about the humanitarian situation. QUESTION: You mentioned roadmap obligations. Are you referring to the settlements? I think Prime Minister Olmert said on Japanese television that the settlements will continue. SECRETARY RICE: No, I – look, the roadmap obligations are clear and they include also, for instance, illegal outposts and – as well as the settlement activity. And I think that General Fraser has been out and he’s begun to really gather information about the situation on both sides and the roadmap obligations of both Israelis and Palestinians. He will go again soon. And I think the way to handle these roadmap issues is through the implementation and monitoring mechanism that we’ve set up under General Fraser. QUESTION: Did you ask him not to use disproportionate force in Gaza? SECRETARY RICE: I have never been able to define -- I think that’s not a good way to address this issue. And I think if you look back, I’ve said many times it’s not a good way to address this issue. The issue is that the attacks, rocket attacks need to stop. There needs to be due concern for the innocent people and the humanitarian situation in Gaza. There needs to be a durable way to deal with the crossings. I hope that there will be good discussions between Egyptians, the Palestinians, Israelis about how to do that. And the most important thing that can be done, of course, is to use the opportunity before the parties to have this vision of a Palestinian state become one that is concrete. That is what will ultimately give the Palestinians and Israelis confidence that they have a future of peace and security, not one of continuing conflict. MR. MCCORMACK: Okay, guys. SECRETARY RICE: Thanks. See you on the flight. 2008/T6-9 Released on February 28, 2008 |
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