To state the task is to suggest the magnitude of the challenge. Behind the Israeli-Palestinian conflict lie the most profound questions about beliefs, political identity, collective fate. Etched in each side's mind are intense fears and emotions and a deep-seated commitment to defend their people's interests. There are no easy answers and certainly no painless ones, and, therefore, there is clearly no guarantee of success. While Israeli and Palestinian negotiators have made real progress, crystallizing issues and defining gaps, the truth is they can take the talks no further at their level.
Significant differences remain, and they involved the most complex and most sensitive of questions.
The negotiators have reached an impasse. Movement now depends on historic decisions that only the two leaders can make. I will be there with them, and I intend to do all I can to help them in this endeavor. But to delay this gathering, to remain stalled, is simply no longer an option, for the Israeli-Palestinian conflict, as all of us have seen, knows no status quo. It can move forward towards real peace or it can slide back into turmoil.