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.

These are monies that belong to the Palestinians and should not be withheld. It follows that the formation of a new government and the approval of its program should be awaited and that actions prior to that would be premature.

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

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.

It was a very constructive meeting.