Thu, December 18, 2008
US President-elect Obama will inherit the Bush Administration's Mideast policy, with analysts saying it is not likely to be a top item on the agenda in Obama's early days in office.
Resolving the conflict in the Middle East has been on many an American president's agenda. Over the decades, the issues remain the same: Settlements on the West Bank, the status of Jerusalem and the recognition of the Jewish state by the Palestinians.
Annapolis Maryland November 2007. President George W. Bush takes the stage with his counterparts from Israel and Palestine, launching his administration's final push for Mideast peace.
SOUNDBITE: President George W. Bush, saying (English):
"The task begun here in Annapolis will be difficult. This is the beginning of the process not the end of it and no doubt a lot of work remains to be done."
This week at the United Nations the Bush White House won an endorsement of the goals of talks on Palestinian statehood.
Secretary of State Condoleezza Rice:
SOUNDBITE: Secretary of State Condoleezza Rice, saying (English):
"There can be no turning back the clock - we should only go forward from here."
But some analysts call it a minor step.
William Keylor of Boston University.
SOUNDBITE: William Keylor of Boston University, saying (English):
"I have not seen anything to indicate that significant gains have been made. So when President Obama enters the Oval office on the 20th of January, he will I think have to start from scratch."
Resolving the conflict in the Middle East has been on many an American president's agenda. Over the decades, the issues remain the same: Settlements on the West Bank, the status of Jerusalem and the recognition of the Jewish state by the Palestinians.
Recently there is another problem: Palestinians divided between US-supported Fatah and Hamas, considered a terrorist group by the United states. A key issue now: who will Israel negotiate with.
While Obama has been critical of the hands-off approach to the Israeli-Palestinian conflict in Bush's first seven years, it is not clear what direction he will take once in office.
With the US facing a recession at home, and two wars overseas, Keylor and other analysts say barring a major flare-up, the Mideast is unlikely to be the first order of business when Obama takes office- or the second.
