Kerry: Israeli-Palestinian talks continue within two weeks

Reporting on the opening round of Israeli-Palestinian peace talks in Washington, US Secretary of State John Kerry announced Tuesday that the parties had agreed that “all of the final status issues, all of the core issues and all other issues are all on the table for negotiation with one simple goal, ending the conflict and ending the claims. Our object is a final status agreement in the next nine months,” he said. The next meeting would take place within the next two weeks in Israel or the Palestinian territories. Kerry added: “The two sides agree to keep the content of the negotiations confidential. I will be the only one competent to comment publicly on the talks. No one should consider any other information reliable.” He promised the US “will continuously accompany both parties as facilitator every step of the way.” The goal of the talks, he said, is the establishment of two states side by side. “The talks are off to a good start.”