You'll see that in this exchange with reporters yesterday at the State Department, spokesman Gordon Duguid's talking points were to say nothing about Lieberman, and just say We welcome Netanyahu's commitment to the 2-state solution when reporters tried to mention the fascist in the room. Exchange follows jump:
QUESTION: On the Middle East, the new Israeli Foreign Minister
Lieberman said that Israel will not be bound to the Annapolis peace
process. Your reaction and where you stand on the Annapolis process
yourselves?
MR. DUGUID: Well, first let me welcome the
formation of a new Israeli Government and look – we look forward to
working with it to advance the bilateral relationship shared by the
United States and Israel.
Israel is a close friend and
ally, and we remain unalterably committed to Israel’s security. We will
work closely with Prime Minister Netanyahu’s government to advance the
cause of peace and stability in the Middle East and move the parties in
the direction of a two-state solution. We have full confidence in and
will continue to support the Government of Israel, and we work together
– we will work together for a durable and lasting peace in the region.
As
for statements made or comments made, I’d point you to Prime Minister
Netanyahu’s comments that he will work for peace with the Palestinians
and peace in the region.
QUESTION: That gives you no pause at all?
MR. DUGUID: I just said we support the two-state solution, and we will continue to work for that.
QUESTION: But the foreign minister apparently doesn’t.
MR. DUGUID:
I’ve given you our statement. I’ve directed you to what the prime
minister of Israel has just said. Whether or not the final position of
the Israeli Government as they come into discussions with us is one way
or another – we haven’t heard their proposals yet. We haven’t sat down
with them.
QUESTION: But no public division between the prime minister and the foreign minister gives you any pause either?
MR. DUGUID:
I’m letting you know that we’re going to work with the Israeli
Government. We welcome the formation of a new Israeli Government. And
we have – or will shortly – the Secretary will be in touch with her
counterparts and will issue a U.S. official welcome to the new
government.
QUESTION: Is the Obama Administration committed to the Annapolis process since it was launched by the previous administration?
MR. DUGUID:
As you know, the Annapolis process does call for a two-state solution.
The Obama Administration is committed to seeking a two-state solution
for the resolution between – the differences between Israel and the
Palestinians.
QUESTION: That’s not really a full commitment for the process that was launched at Annapolis.
MR. DUGUID:
Our processes are – many of our policies are under review. The
two-state solution, however, is not one that is under review. We’re
committed to that solution.
