USA: US AMBASSADOR TO UN BILL RICHARDSON PLEA TO MIDDLE EAST

(6 Apr 1997) English/Nat U-S officials pleaded Sunday for Israeli and Palestinian leaders to shed their hard-line stances and renew face-to-face consultations. Their pleas came as President Clinton prepared to meet with Israeli Prime Minister Benjamin Netanyahu. Speaking at the American Israel Public Affairs Committee, a U-S pro-Israeli lobby, the U-S Ambassador to the United Nations, Bill Richardson, reiterated his government's support for Israel. SOUNDBITE: (English) "Our ties of friendship and partnership with Israel is fundamental and enduring". SUPER CAPTION: Bill Richardson, U-S Ambassador to the U-N Richardson addressed the influential American-Israel Public Affairs Committee at its 38th Annual Policy Conference with activists from all 50 states of the union. The recently appointed American Ambassador did not hesitate to show Washington's support to the government of Israel. SOUNDBITE: "Israel remains a key strategic partner and reliable and effective ally across the range of our regional interest in the Middle East." SUPER CAPTION: Bill Richardson, U-S Ambassador to the U-N But Richardson also said that it takes both parts to make the peace process a reality. SOUNDBITE: "But in the end, the success of the process depend on the willingness of the Palestinian and the Israelis to work together as negotiating partners" SUPER CAPTION: Bill Richardson, U-S Ambassador to the U-N With the peace process stalled since last month amid increasing violence in the Middle East, U-S officials have suggested it may take another Camp David-like negotiating session to force both sides to resolve differences in a private setting. But first, Clinton, Secretary of State Madeleine Albright and U-S diplomats were meeting with both sides to find possible compromises. Neither the Israelis nor the Palestinians appeared ready to budge. Arafat, who went to a meeting of the Non-Aligned Movement of developing nations in India over the weekend sent Clinton a letter saying any U-S initiative must include a pledge by Israel to stop construction in disputed East Jerusalem. But work continues on the controversial neighbourhood. Israeli Cabinet Secretary Danny Naveh told Israel army radio, "I can only state unequivocally that the construction in Jerusalem will continue." Netanyahu has told his cabinet the U-S initiative would be based on his proposal to move up negotiations on a permanent peace agreement. The goal would be to wrap up talks on the most difficult issues of Palestinian statehood, borders and Jerusalem in six to nine months. Yasser Arafat sees this as a ruse to get around the current building dispute and the Oslo peace agreement that outlined stages for Israeli withdrawal from the West Bank. Also present at the AIPAC conference was the former President of Israel, Chaim Herzog who addressed the issue of Jerusalem as the capital of the State of Israel. SOUNDBITE: (English) "Let me express my view that no government of Israel that is prepared to compromise on Jerusalem and its centrality as the capital of Israel which it has been for 3000 years will last for one day." SUPER CAPTION: Hon.Chaim Herzog, former Israeli President Vice President Al Gore was also to address the meeting. As was Netanyahu, who was scheduled make an appearance Monday after meeting with Clinton, members of Congress and Jewish groups. Find out more about AP Archive: http://www.aparchive.com/HowWeWork Twitter:   / ap_archive   Facebook:   / aparchives   ​​ Instagram:   / apnews   You can license this story through AP Archive: http://www.aparchive.com/metadata/you...