Editorial Note: The following news reports are summaries from original sources. They may also include corrections of Arabic names and political terminology. Comments are in parentheses.

 

Hillary Clinton Warns Iran During a Visit to Israel

BEIJING, July 17, 2012 (Xinhuanet) --

U.S. Secretary of State Hillary Clinton has wrapped up her trip to the Middle East with a discussion of the Iran issue with Israeli Prime Minister Benjamin Netanyahu. Clinton has described Iran’s proposals on its nuclear programme at P5+1 talks, as non-starters.

Clinton has declared the US will use its power to keep Iran from acquiring nuclear weapons. Her warning came after a meeting with top officials during her visit to Israel. Both countries suspect Iran of using a civilian nuclear programme as a cover to develop atomic weapons, which Iran denies.

Clinton says the US will keep raising the pressure on Iran as long as it fails to come clean on its disputed uranium enrichment programme. She said that everyone prefers a diplomatic resolution, and that Iran’s leaders still have the opportunity to make the right decision.

(Source: CNTV.cn)

Clinton concludes visit in Israel with warning against Iran, calls for resumed peace process

JERUSALEM, July 16, 2012 (Xinhua) --

U.S. Secretary of State Hillary Clinton concluded her visit in Israel Monday night with a renewed warning over Iran's disputed nuclear program and calls for Israelis and Palestinians to restart their stalled peace talks.

Speaking to reporters here after meeting with Israeli Prime Minister Benjamin Netanyahu in Jerusalem, Clinton reiterated the warning that the U.S. government will employ all its force to prevent Iran from acquiring nuclear arms.

Iran is under unprecedented pressure due to the efforts of the international community, she said, adding that the United States will "use all elements of American power" to prevent Iran from obtaining a nuclear weapon.

"Iran's leaders still have the opportunity to make the right decision. The choice is ultimately Iran's," said Clinton, who landed in Israel Sunday night for her first visit to the country in over 20 months.

Iran's controversial nuclear program was one of the main topics during Clinton's meetings with Netanyahu and other Israeli leaders, including President Shimon Peres and Defense Minister Ehud Barak.

The United States, Israel and some other Western nations have long suspected that Iran is secretly developing nuclear weapons, while Iran denies the charges and insists its nuclear program is solely for peaceful purposes.

"We have our common effort to make sure that Iran not achieve its ambition of developing nuclear weapons," said Netanyahu in public remarks prior to his meeting with Clinton.

Observers here believe one of the aims for Clinton's visit is to repeat U.S. persuasion to the Israeli government against launching a pre-emptive strike on Iran's nuclear facilities.

Israel has threatened to launch a military operation on Iran's nuclear facilities if the multilateral talks on Iran's nuclear issue fail, while Washington hopes to use sanctions to bring Tehran to heel.

Other topics dominating Clinton's whirlwind visit include the Israeli-Palestinian peace process and the drastic changes in Egypt 's political landscape.

"We remain focused on relaunching talks. The international community can help but it is up to the parties to do the work," Clinton told reporters.

During her meetings with Israeli officials, according to Israeli media, Clinton urged the Israeli government to make gestures to the Palestinians so as to restart the stalled peace process.

Between meetings with Israeli officials, Clinton also met with Palestinian Prime Minister Salam Fayyad.

Clinton was quoted as asking the Israeli government to offer a new package of incentives to entice Palestinian President Mahmoud Abbas to return to the negotiation table.

The Americans fear the stalemate in the peace negotiations is weakening Abbas and hurting his ability to rule the West Bank, the reports cited sources familiar with the meetings as saying.

The direct Israeli-Palestinian peace talks broke down some two years ago after Israel insisted on settlement construction in the West Bank and east Jerusalem.

Clinton's visit also touched upon the situation in Egypt, from where she flew into Israel after a visit.

"I traveled to Cairo and my message was the United States wants the new leadership in Egypt to uphold the peace treaty with Israel, " she told the press conference.

Israel has been concerned over the drastic changes in Egypt, where Mohamed Morsi of the long-banned Muslim Brotherhood became the new president.

Clinton says U.S. to use all force to prevent Iran from acquiring nuclear arms

JERUSALEM, July 16, 2012 (Xinhua) --

U.S. Secretary of State Hillary Clinton reiterated the warning Monday that the U.S. government will employ all its force to prevent Iran from acquiring nuclear arms.

Speaking to reporters after meeting with Israeli Prime Minister Benjamin Netanyahu in Jerusalem, Clinton said Iran is under unprecedented pressure due to the efforts of the international community.

Iranian leaders still have an opportunity to resolve the nuclear crisis diplomatically, she said, adding that the United States will "use all elements of American power" to prevent Iran from obtaining a nuclear weapon.

"Iran's leaders still have the opportunity to make the right decision. The choice is ultimately Iran's," Clinton said.

Iran's controversial nuclear program was one of the main topics during Clinton's meetings with Netanyahu and other Israeli leaders, including President Shimon Peres and Defense Minister Ehud Barak.

The United States, Israel and some other Western nations have long suspected that Iran is secretly developing nuclear weapons, but Iran denies the charges and insists that its nuclear program is solely for peaceful purposes.

"We have our common effort to make sure that Iran will not achieve its ambition of developing nuclear weapons," said Netanyahu in public remarks prior to his meeting with Clinton.

Observers here believe one of the aims for Clinton's visit is to repeat U.S. persuasion to the Israeli government against launching a pre-emptive strike on Iran's nuclear facilities.

Israel has threatened to launch a military operation on Iran's nuclear facilities if the multilateral talks on Iran's nuclear issue fail, while Washington hopes to use sanctions to bring Tehran to heel.

Editor: Mu Xuequan