Editorials

Return to peace talks

(China Daily)
Updated: 2010-04-19 08:04

Editor's note: While intensified diplomatic efforts are needed to build momentum for an early resumption of the peace talks, it is crucial for both Palestine and Israel to exercise restraint and show sincerity in moving toward the direction that leads to peace for themselves.

Good news for those who have cherished a long-standing hope for a peaceful Middle East: The international community is stepping up a new round of diplomatic efforts to break the impasse in peace talks for the region.

Addressing the United Nations Security Council on April 14, Lynn Pascoe, the UN under-secretary-general for political affairs, urged the international community to grasp the opportunity to push for the resumption of peace talks.

The world is now facing a rare opportunity to press the parties concerned to come back to the negotiation table. The Quartet partners, which groups the United States, European Union, Russia and the UN, have showed strong determination in resolving the Middle East conflict.

The Obama administration is also eager to leave its mark in the region's peace process. After all, there have been high hopes for US leadership since US President Barack Obama was awarded the Nobel Peace Prize last December.

China expressed its willingness to work closely with the Quartet partners for a breakthrough in the Middle East peace process during last week's Security Council meeting. As always, it considers political talks as the only way to a peaceful solution to the conflict.

While intensified diplomatic efforts are needed to build momentum for an early resumption of the peace talks, it is crucial for both Palestine and Israel to exercise restraint and show sincerity in moving toward the direction that leads to peace for themselves. Otherwise, current hope for the peace talks will never become reality.

(China Daily 04/19/2010 page8)