TruthNews

Rice Adds Russia, Syria To Agenda For Latest Israel Visit

International Christian Embassy Jerusalem, 25 Aug 2008

Following Condoleeza Rice’s recent comments that Moscow’s assault on Georgia brought into question Russia’s "suitability for all kinds of activities that it has said that it wants to be a part of," the US Secretary of State arrived in Jerusalem on Monday to discuss with Israeli officials the Kremlin's plans to host a major Middle East summit in November.

Israel has not formally decided on attending the Moscow summit, which Russia sees as a follow-up to last November's US-sponsored summit in Annapolis. But Jerusalem is still transmitting messages to the Kremlin that it does not want the conflict in Georgia to harm relations between Israel and Russia.

Rice will also be considering whether to go ahead with previous plans for a meeting of the Middle East Quartet - which includes Russia - on the side of the United Nations General Assembly's annual opening in mid-September.

Rice has strongly implied in recent weeks that Moscow’s invasion of Georgia in defense of the breakway province of South Ossetia could risk its integration into the international community.

Rice’s visit will also focus on the Israeli-Palestinian peace process, as well as Jerusalem’s indirect negotiations with Damascus through Turkish mediators, which are slated to resume next week. Washington is reportedly leaning on Israel to break off those talks after Syrian president Bashar Assad offered to host advanced Russian missiles on Syrian soil and publicly supported Moscow's actions in Georgia.

Israeli government spokesman Mark Regev said that while the date for the next round of talks has not yet been announced, Syria’s quest for Russian weapons and its backing of Moscow has not modified Israel’s stance on the importance of the negotiations with Damascus.

"We are committed to continuing on this track," Regev said. "Ultimately, the Syrian leadership has to chose between the path of peace, negotiation and reconciliation, and Iran, Hizbullah and Hamas. We hope that they chose the path of peace, but our eyes are wide open and we are closely following all developments."