Ultimately in a democracy you cannot have both participation in elected office and participation in armed militia. They are simply incompatible.

The bird flu crisis highlights the importance of having a regular border opening.

This is an unscripted moment.

We should be alert to the danger that cutting off assistance prior to the formation of a new government might be interpreted by the Palestinians and the Arab world as a punishment for the way the Palestinians voted in January.

The leaders had ample good will and a business-like spirit.

The quartet will convene on September 20 at the ministerial level, on the sidelines of the United Nations General Assembly.