Secretary of State James Baker has vehemently denied a charge by Democratic presidential front-runner Bill Clinton that the Bush administration’s criticism of Israel is hurting the Middle East peace process.
The peace process itself was constructed “basically on Israel’s terms,” Baker maintained in an appearance Wednesday night on public television’s “MacNeil/Lehrer Newshour.”
“No one has walked away from the table,” Baker said. “We still have high hopes for a productive result.”
The secretary was replying to charges made earlier on the program by Clinton that since the end of the Persian Gulf War, the Bush administration has done nothing but criticize Israel for building settlements in the administered territories.
Clinton, who is governor of Arkansas, praised the administration for bringing about the Arab-Israeli peace talks. But ever since then, he added, “the only public statements we have made have been to condemn Israel, put more pressure on Israel, try to put the screws on Israel.”
On the other hand, Clinton said, there was no U.S. criticism of the Arab economic boycott of Israel, Arab non-recognition of Israel and continued militarization in the Middle East.
The Democratic candidate also pointed out that Bush administration has refused to guarantee $10 billion in loans for Israel unless it ends settlement activity, but has attached no conditions on loan guarantees extended to some 60 other countries, including Iraq.
CLINTON ALSO OPPOSED TO SETTLEMENTS
Clinton indicated that while he supports the U.S. opposition to Israeli settlements, now that the peace process is under way, this issue should be left for negotiations.
Baker denied that the administration is asking Israel to give up one of its negotiating cards by stopping settlement activity.
“We are saying please refrain from taking unilateral actions that prevent negotiations over the status of the territories,” he said.
The secretary rejected Clinton’s suggestion that the administration has been taking the side of the Arabs in the negotiations.
“We have told every Arab government,” as well as the Palestinians, that “we will not deliver Israel,” he said. “We couldn’t if we wanted to, and we wouldn’t if we could.”
Baker maintained that the United States and Israel continue to be strong allies despite their differences over the settlements.
“The fundamentals of our relationship with Israel are just as solid, rock sold, as they have always been,” Baker said.
“We are strong allies of Israel because we share values, and that hasn’t changed, because we have an unyielding commitment to Israel’s security, and that hasn’t changed, because we cooperate strategically,” Baker said.
He added that he believes the strategic relationship is still important, despite the argument made by some that it has lost its value with the end of the Cold War.
Baker also vehemently denied a charge made by former New York Mayor Ed Koch that he had used an obscenity in referring to American Jews.
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