Middle East peace “a when, not an if”, says US diplomat

Speech to Lib Dem Friends of Israel on eve of UN peace talks

Greg Berry, Minister Counsellor for Political Affairs at the US Embassy in London, spoke to Liberal Democrat Friends of Israel’s (LDFI) fringe meeting at the party conference in Bournemouth last night (Monday 21 September). Mr Berry has deep diplomatic experience of the Middle East (see biography on Page 2).

Ahead of Tuesday’s UN meeting between President Obama, Israeli Prime Minister Netanyahu and Palestinian President Abbas, Mr Berry outlined the US Government’s “clear and straightforward policy” on Israel/Palestine. This policy is centred on what Mr Berry called an “unshakeable” commitment to Israel’s security.

“A two-state solution is the only viable means of bringing a comprehensive peace to the region,” said Mr Berry, pledging his government’s “continuing engagement” to bring this about. Mr Berry stated that the US sees “a peace agreement resolving all outstanding issues, bringing the conflict to an end”, as “a when, not an if”.

Regarding Tuesday’s UN talks, Mr Berry said: “We fully expect contacts tomorrow to move us in the right direction”. On relations between the Obama administration and Israel, he said: “It is not a question of pressure between friends.” On Iran’s nuclear programme, he said that, while the current policy of engagement must be given time to work, his government could eventually grow “impatient” and move to support tougher sanctions against Iran (as stated in Secretary of State Clinton’s recent speech to the Brookings Institution).

Also speaking were Talya Lador-Fresher, the Israeli Deputy Ambassador, and the Right Honourable Sir Alan Beith MP (President, LDFI). The meeting was chaired by Cllr Monroe Palmer OBE (Chairman, LDFI).

Ms Lador-Fresher told the meeting that Israel’s approach to the peace process with the Palestinians is three-pronged: economic, security and political. Drawing attention to the West Bank’s economic growth rate of 7%, she said that 12 out of 14 major West Bank road blocks are now open 24 hours a day, seven days a week. Welcoming Tuesday’s UN meeting, she pointed out that PM Netanyahu’s opinion poll rating had risen after he had committed to engaging with the peace process, demonstrating the Israeli public’s ongoing support for peace.

LDFI spokesman Matthew Harris said: “This was an exciting opportunity to hear the latest news on American efforts towards an Israeli/Palestinian peace agreement.”

A biography of Greg Berry is appended below as page two.

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Biography of Greg Berry

Gregory L Berry began his assignment as Minister Counsellor for Political Affairs at the U.S. Embassy in London on August 6, 2008.

Mr Berry was Chargé d'Affaires ad interim of the U.S. Embassy in Tripoli, Libya, from May 2006 until November 2006. From June 2004 until May 2006, he was Principal Officer of the US Liaison Office in Libya. For his service in Libya, Mr Berry has received a Presidential Meritorious Service Award, the State Department's Distinguished Honour Award, and other awards in recognition of Embassy Tripoli’s reporting and policy management.

From November 2006 until August of 2008, Mr Berry served on the Board of Examiners for the Foreign Service.

A career member of the Senior Foreign Service, Mr Berry entered the Foreign Service in 1979.  He has served as Director for Egypt and North Africa, Deputy Chief of Mission in Amman and Beirut, and Deputy Executive Secretary in the Department of State Secretariat. His overseas assignments also include Lisbon, La Paz and Jerusalem.

Mr Berry received his bachelor’s degree from the University of Mississippi and his master’s degree and doctorate from Yale University.

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