Rice says January Palestinian elections a positive move

US Secretary of State Condoleezza Rice has welcomed a statement by Palestinian President Mahmoud Abbas that Palestinian legislative elections will be held on schedule and another statement by Israeli acting Prime Minister Ehud Olmert that he will recommend to his Cabinet that Palestinian residents of East Jerusalem be allowed to vote.

"Holding free and fair Palestinian Legislative Council elections on January 25 represents a key step in the process of building a peaceful, democratic Palestinian state," Rice said in a January 11 statement. "Development of a Palestinian democracy based on tolerance and liberty is a key element of the Roadmap," she said. "To participate in a peace process of Israelis and Palestinians, the Palestinian partner must at least accept Israel's right to exist.