Clinton cautions Israel, opens door to Syria

Jerusalem —- U.S. Secretary of State Hillary Clinton promised Tuesday to work with the incoming Israeli government, but delivered a clear message that could put her at odds with hawkish Prime Minister-designate Benjamin Netanyahu: Movement toward establishment of a Palestinian state is “inescapable.”

Clinton also said the U.S. soon would send two envoys to Syria, the most significant sign yet that the Obama administration is ready to mend relations with the Damascus regime. The U.S. withdrew its ambassador in 2005, accusing Syria of supporting terrorism.

“We have no way to predict” the outcome of re-engaging with Syria, Clinton said. “There has to be some perceived benefit of doing so for the United States and our allies. … But I think it is a worthwhile effort to go and begin these preliminary conversations.”

In Damascus, the U.S. Embassy announced that Jeffrey Feltman, the State Department’s top diplomat for the Middle East, would lead the American delegation headed to the Syrian capital.

The U.S. ambassador was pulled out by the Bush administration in 2005 to protest Syria’s suspected role in the assassination of former Lebanese Prime Minister Rafik Hariri. The U.S. also has criticized Syria for supporting militant groups such as Hamas and Hezbollah and has accused Syria of not doing enough to prevent foreign fighters from crossing its border into Iraq.

Clinton lamented that President Barack Obama’s attempts to reach out to Syrian ally Iran have so far been unsuccessful. The U.S. and Israel accuse Iran of pursuing nuclear arms and supporting anti-Israel militants.

Seeking to calm her Israeli hosts, Clinton said diplomacy should not be confused with softness.

“When we talk about engagement with Iran, do not be in any way confused, our goal remains the same: to dissuade and prevent Iran from acquiring nuclear weapons and continuing to fund terrorism,” she said.

Senior Israeli officials, including Defense Minister Ehud Barak, told Clinton that Israel does not oppose Washington’s overtures to Iran. However, they said they were skeptical about Iran’s intentions and urged the U.S. to set a deadline for Iran to respond positively. Israel fears Iran will use American engagement to buy time to develop nuclear weapons.

Asked about Netanyahu, who opposes Palestinian statehood and has been critical of peace talks, Clinton acknowledged the possibility of disagreements with any Israeli government and made clear the U.S. would push forward with its efforts to forge a peace deal that includes creation of an independent Palestinian state alongside Israel.

“The United States will be vigorously engaged in the pursuit of a two-state solution every step of the way,” she said. “The inevitability of working toward a two state-solution is inescapable.”