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Source: http://www.state.gov/secretary/rm/2005/46063.htm
Rice "Underscores" Sharon's Leadership
(State Department) - Secretary of State Rice told Larry King on CNN Wednesday: "We at this particular moment perhaps have the best chance that we've had in a long time for movement forward between the Palestinians and the Israelis toward a two-state solution that means a Palestinian state and an Israeli state living side by side. It would require what is already going on there - the process of democratization in the Palestinian territories. They've had elections. They're going to have more elections. But Palestinians need to reform their security forces and make sure that they're fighting terrorism. But of course, the Israelis are going to leave the Gaza Strip and withdraw from four settlements in the West Bank. This is an extraordinary moment." "I have to underscore the leadership of Prime Minister Sharon here because this man, who in many ways was the father of the settlement movement, has really now said that Israel and the Palestinians are going to have to share the land. And that's a very important fundamental place from which to recognize the need for two states. And one, you just have to admire him for that kind of leadership."