Saturday in New York

Secretary Clinton had a busy Saturday with meetings in New York, among them:

Secretary Clinton w/ members of the Gulf Cooperation Council, Saturday, Sept. 26th(AP Photo/David Karp)

Meeting of the United States, the Gulf Cooperation Council, Egypt, Jordan, and Iraq
Concluding Statement by the Participating Foreign Ministers

The Foreign Ministers of the Gulf Cooperation Council (GCC), Egypt, Iraq, Jordan, and the United States met today in New York City to coordinate on efforts to promote their shared vision of a stable, peaceful and prosperous Middle East, and to intensify their consultations as partners and friends.

The Ministers welcomed the trilateral meeting among President Obama, Prime Minister Netanyahu, and President Abbas on September 22, and expressed their hope for rapid progress towards the resumption of negotiations between the Israelis and the Palestinians. The Ministers welcomed President Obama’s important statement before the UN General Assembly which calls for the re-launching of negotiations – without preconditions – that address the permanent status issues: security for Israelis and Palestinians, borders, refugees, and Jerusalem. The Ministers reiterated their call for a freeze on settlement activities. They expressed their continued support for an independent, viable, and democratic Palestinian state living side by side in peace and security with Israel, with contiguous territory that ends the occupation that began in 1967, in accordance with the relevant UN Security Council resolutions, the Road Map, and the Arab Peace Initiative. They reiterated their full support for the Palestinian Authority under the leadership of President Mahmoud Abbas and the Palestinian government led by Prime Minister Salam Fayyad and their efforts to build the institutions of a future state. The Ministers also reiterated their support for achieving a comprehensive peace in the Middle East.

The Ministers encourage Iran to engage constructively and expressed their hope that the planned meeting between Iran and the Permanent Members of the UN Security Council and Germany on October 1 will begin a process that resolves international concerns about Iran’s nuclear activities.

The Ministers recognized that Iraq has made significant gains in the past year and expressed support for the Iraqi people and government as they face challenges, such as the horrific August 19 terrorist attacks on the foreign and finance ministries, and called for the prosecution of the perpetrators. The Ministers categorically condemn all terrorist attacks and expressed support for every effort endeavoring at restoring peace, security, and stability in Iraq. The Ministers also expressed support for Iraq as it prepares for 2010 national elections. The Ministers underlined the importance of regional support to the government of Iraq and the Iraqi people in their efforts to achieve a prosperous, united, and democratic Iraq that lives in peace with itself and with its neighbors and respects its international obligations. The Ministers stressed the principle of non-interference in Iraq’s internal affairs.

The Ministers further noted their concern for the situation in Yemen. The Ministers expressed full support for the government of Ali Abdullah Saleh; for the unity, security, and stability of Yemen; and for efforts for a peaceful dialogue. The Ministers underscored the importance of ensuring the security of civilians and relief workers, and the provision for the safe passage of emergency relief supplies to civilians affected by the conflict. The Ministers reiterated their support for the Yemeni government’s economic and governance reform initiatives, and their willingness to continue to assist Yemen in improving the lives of its people.

The Ministers, recalling previous meetings of this group, emphasized the importance of continuing these meetings under this configuration of states in order to exchange views and consider common approaches to key issues that affect their shared goals for the region.

Secretary Clinton has urged Arab states to move towards normalizing ties with Israel, a difficult sell given Israeli President Bibi Netanyahu basically has said he has no intention of halting settlements in the West Bank:

Secretary of State Hillary Rodham Clinton urged Arab nations yesterday to take steps toward normalizing relations with Israel and supporting the Palestinians in an effort to help restart stalled Mideast peace talks.

Clinton made the case with senior officials from Oman, Saudi Arabia, Kuwait, Bahrain, Qatar, and the United Arab Emirates on the sidelines of the U.N. General Assembly. The session followed President Obama’s talks last week with Palestinian Authority President Mahmoud Abbas and Israeli Prime Minister Benjamin Netanyahu.

She declined to comment on the substance of her discussions, but told reporters afterward the talks had been “extremely productive.”

But officials said the Obama administration wanted Arab states to make tangible and credible goodwill gestures toward Israel and provide political and economic support to Abbas to lay the groundwork for a resumption of Israeli-Palestinian negotiations.

Among the gestures toward Israel that the United States has suggested are opening trade and commercial offices, allowing Israeli aircraft overflight rights, and promoting academic and cultural exchanges.
Thus far, most have resisted, demanding that Israel first make concessions, including a total freeze on the construction of Jewish settlements in the West Bank. Netanyahu has refused to adopt such a policy despite heavy U.S. pressure.

Even in the absence of such a step, American officials say, the Arabs should act…

Here is what, in part, the Secretary had to say after the meeting:

QUESTION: (In progress) IAEA into its facility, IAEA inspectors. Is that a welcome development? Would that be enough of a gesture for there to be progress in these talks?

SECRETARY CLINTON: Well, it is always welcome when Iran makes a decision to comply with the international rules and regulations, and particularly with respect to the IAEA. I have just been talking with my colleagues from the Gulf states, the GCC, and we are hopeful that, in preparing for the meeting on October 1st, Iran comes and shares with all of us what they are willing to do, and gives us a time table on which they are willing to proceed.

MODERATOR: Okay. Thank you, guys.

QUESTION: Madame Secretary, on this particular meeting, what specifically have you asked your Gulf area counterparts, in terms of throwing their support behind the peace process, as the President would like?
And also, one for Prince –

SECRETARY CLINTON: Well, we are not having any questions to any of our guests. They came to enjoy the hospitality and the conversation.

But we have talked about a broad range of issues, and you might very well be able to list those that have been the subject of our discussion. But I am not going to be describing these private conversations. But I just want to say that I am very grateful for, not only this meeting, but the extremely productive nature of it. Thank you all.

Prior to that there was a high level US-Mexico group meeting:

QUESTION: When did you arrive?

SECRETARY CLINTON: Sunday, last Sunday. And then I will be here next week, as well. And then, on Wednesday morning, I am chairing the Security Council on violence against girls and women, and some of the steps we are taking in the UN to elevate that, and (inaudible) the structure.

QUESTION: Do you have anything you want to say about your meeting with Mr. Solana this morning?

SECRETARY CLINTON: It was, as always with Javier Solana, a very comprehensive in-depth discussion about the many issues that we are working on with the European Union. And you know, the agenda, obviously, covered the entire waterfront: Afghanistan, Pakistan, the Middle East, Bosnia, the Balkans. I mean, it just was a very broad and productive conversation.

QUESTION: Did you make any headway on the Honduras?

SECRETARY CLINTON: I have been working on that, and that is something that we will be discussing later. But, obviously, we are hoping that there will be a mission to Honduras that will finally get both sides to agree to the San Jose accords. But stay tuned. We will know more about that later.

MODERATOR: Thank you.

Here’s a little more on the Mexico meeting:

U.S. Secretary of State Hillary Rodham Clinton and Mexican Foreign Minister Patricia Espinosa have vowed to “keep strengthening” cooperation in the fight against drug violence and organized crime that spills across their countries’ common border.

The leaders talked Saturday about ways to battle government and police corruption and bolster anti-drug operations given ever-increasing border violence, according to a statement from Mexico’s United Nations delegation.

They also discussed the Merida Initiative, a three-year, $1.4 billion U.S. program to train and equip Mexican and Central American authorities facing ruthless cartels that move drugs through the region and into the U.S.

Espinosa and Clinton met on the sidelines of the U.N. General Assembly.

Secretary Clinton meets with Foreign Minister Patricia Espinosa of Mexico and others Sept. 26th, 2009

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