| That would be too much like work... |
WASHINGTON — US President Barack Obama is playing down expectations for a Mideast peace breakthrough during his upcoming trip to Israel, telling American Jewish leaders that he won’t be carrying a “grand peace plan” when he arrives in the region later this month.
Obama, in an hour-long private meeting at the White House on Thursday, acknowledged that near-term prospects for peace are bleak, according to a person who attended the discussion. But the president said a deal with the Palestinians remains the only way for Israel to achieve long-term security.
IsraelÂ’s political climate makes the prospects for jump-starting peace talks all the more unlikely during ObamaÂ’s trip. Elections in January weakened Israeli prime minister Benjamin Netanyahu, who since then has struggled to form a coalition government.
In addition to his meetings with Netanyahu, Obama will hold talks with Palestinian Authority President Mahmoud Abbas. He told the Jewish leaders on Thursday that he would emphasize to Abbas that peace remains possible, though very difficult given the current climate in the region.
In his meeting on Thursday, Obama said pursuing sweeping peace talks now would be premature, given that Israel is still working to form a new government. But he added that doesnÂ’t preclude him from launching a peace effort in six months or a year, according to the person in attendance, who was not authorised to discuss the gathering publicly and requested anonymity.
The White House has not announced the dates for the presidentÂ’s trip, although Israeli news media have reported he will arrive on March 20. Obama will also make stops in the West Bank town of Ramallah, and Jordan. |