Rice raises new approach to Mideast peacemaking

[Eugene]

Source: Reuters

Rice raises new approach to Mideast peacemaking
25 Mar 2007 15:31:28 GMT

RAMALLAH, West Bank, March 25 (Reuters) - U.S. Secretary of
State Condoleezza Rice set out a new approach on Sunday to
reviving Israeli-Palestinian peacemaking, outlining "parallel"
U.S. discussions with the deeply divided parties.

"Now we are in a situation in which I think a bilateral approach,
in which I talk in parallel to the parties ... is the best way,"
Rice said at a news conference with Palestinian President
Mahmoud Abbas.

She said she hoped to establish a common agenda between
Israel and the Palestinians that would eventually lead to the
establishment of a Palestinian state.

Link: http://www.alertnet.org/thenews/newsdesk/L25403629.htm

[Eugene]

1. Rice, U.N. Chief Address Mideast Impasse

Source: Associated Press

Rice, U.N. Chief Address Mideast Impasse
Rice And U.N. Chief Add Their Clout To Attempts To End
Mideast Peacemaking Impasse

RAMALLAH, West Bank, Mar. 25, 2007

(AP) Secretary of State Condoleezza Rice said Sunday it was
important for Israel and the Palestinians to establish a
"common agenda" to move forward on creating a Palestinian
state _ an apparent break with Israel, which has ruled out
peace talks for now.

Rice also said all the parties need to have a "destination
in mind" to solve the Israeli-Palestinian conflict. But she
conceded the sides were far apart, and had no specific
proposal to get long-stalled peace talks moving.

She spoke at a news conference with Palestinian President
Mahmoud Abbas, after their first meeting since the Islamic
militant Hamas and Abbas' more moderate Fatah Party
formed a new coalition government last week.

Israel has said it will not hold peace talks with Abbas
now that he has joined forces with Hamas.

-snip-

Read more: http://www.cbsnews.com/stories/2007/03/25/ap/world/main2606124.shtml