Secretary of State Says Quick Cease Fire Would Be False Promise - Will Travel To Israel and Italy to Meet Arab Country Representatives

July 21st 2006

Rice Today

The United States may take a more proactive role in pushing for peace in the Middle East. Today Secretary of State Condoleezza Rice laid out a plan to help bring a peaceful solution to the fighting. Both Rice and President Bush will discuss their plans with officials from Saudi Arabia before she leaves, according to CTV.

Rice said “We do seek an end to the current violence, and we seek it urgently. More than that, we also seek to address the root causes of that violence, so that a real and endurable peace can be established." She also plans to attend an international conference in Italy.

While in Rome Secretary of State Rice plans to meet with Lebanese officials and other representatives from Arab nations. She hopes to see a permanent solution to the conflict.

Rice has praised the Israeli government for their openness to an international proposal to open “humanitarian corridors” into Lebanon. She said "the United States plans to deliver direct humanitarian assistance to Lebanon."

Her announcement comes two days after an emergency meeting with United Nations Secretary General Kofi Annan. It appears that the US has been at odds with the UN with the UN’s demand for a cease fire. The United States has been less forceful and has not demanded a cease fire. In fact the New York Times reported that Rice said a simple cease-fire “would be a false promise” and would “guarantee future violence.”

In Israel, Ms. Rice will likely confer with Prime Minister Ehud Olmert and with the Palestinian leader Mahmoud Abbas.

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