Clinton`s remarks came after the United States, Russia, the United Nations and the European Union called Friday for both sides to resume direct peace talks within a month and commit to seeking a deal by the end of 2012.
"Egypt, the United States, the Quartet, everyone must stand prepared to put pressure on both sides to try to move toward a settlement of the outstanding issues," Clinton said at a press conference with Egyptian Foreign Minister Mohammed Kamel Amr.
The chief US diplomat referred to details in the Quartet blueprint which called on both sides to produce "comprehensive proposals within three months on territory and security," and achieve "substantial progress" within six months.
"If there were an agreement on borders, then there would be no more controversy about settlements, because everybody would know what side of the border is for Palestine and what side is for Israel," Clinton said.
"I think there is no shortcut to this. We have to urge the parties to put aside their reluctance or their distrust," she said.
Both the State Department and the White House on Tuesday expressed clear frustration at new Israeli settlement plans in east Jerusalem, in a sign of renewed tension with Prime Minister Benjamin Netanyahu`s government.
Israel approved a plan to build 1,100 new homes in a Jewish settlement, prompting an angry reaction from the Palestinians who said it amounted to a direct rejection of the latest international efforts to restart peace talks. (*)
Editor: Kunto Wibisono
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