Salon.com
Obama hints that “two-state solution” may be impossible
Remarks during arms negotiations show Obama administration’s uncertainty about peace in region
Wednesday, Apr 14, 2010
By Juan Cole
President Barack Obama acknowledged Tuesday that, despite the expenditure of substantial political capital by his administration, progress may not be made on Israel-Palestine peace. The AP quoted his reply to a question about how recent successes in negotiating nuclear arms reduction with Russia — and getting 48 nations to sign on to a nuclear material security agreement — might translate into diplomatic successes elsewhere.
The two sides “may say to themselves, ‘We are not prepared to resolve these issues no matter how much pressure the United States brings to bear,’” Obama said.
Obama reiterated that peace is a vital goal, but one that may be beyond reach “even if we are applying all of our political capital.”