U.S. Middle East peace envoy George Mitchell said that Israeli Prime Minister Benjamin Netanyahu and Palestinian President Mahmoud Abbas have had a productive first set of direct peace talks on Thursday, and that they reflect the "good faith" of both leaders.
[George Mitchell, U.S. Middle East Peace Envoy]:
"President Abbas and Prime Minister Netanyahu both expressed their intention to o approach these negotiations with good faith and seriousness of purpose."
Mitchell said he met with the two leaders along with Secretary of State Hillary Clinton before the closed door discussions -- adding he thinks both men will be able to reach an agreement.
[George Mitchell, U.S. Middle East Peace Envoy]:
"They must weigh the difficulties they will face in getting a agreement, they must weigh the difficulty they will face if they don't get an agreement. And we believe it is a very powerful argument if you subject these to very careful and rational analysis to conclude that the later difficulties, if they don't; get an agreement will be much greater."
Mitchell said he and Secretary Clinton will attend the next meetings scheduled for September 14th and 15th in the region.
