U.S. says it believes Mideast talks still on

[oberliner]

State Department spokesman P.J. Crowley cast doubt over comments by Arab League chief Amr Moussa on Wednesday saying that Palestinian President Mahmoud Abbas had decided to scrap the talks following Israel's announcement of the construction of 1,600 new settler homes.

"I don't think that that report that's been circulating for the last 24 hours is accurate," Crowley said. "As far as I know, we are still moving forward. We have not heard from the Palestinians that they have pulled out."

He said that U.S. Middle East envoy George Mitchell and Assistant Secretary of State Jeffrey Feltman were telephoning regional leaders to assess the situation following Israel's announcement, but that Mitchell still planned to return to the region next week with a view to launching the talks.

"George Mitchell is planning to be in the region next week and for further discussions on these issues. We remain committed to the process that is under way," Crowley said.

http://www.reuters.com/article/idUSTRE62A4ZF20100311?type=politicsNews

[IndianaGreen]

1. Verizon ad: 'Can you hear me now?'

Response: sound of crickets!

[RUMMYisFROSTED]

2. Held at the WMD Memorial, no doubt.

:patriot:

[Mosby]

3. What do you make of the Arab League's role in all this?

From some of the articles I've read, it almost seems like Abbas had to ask for the AL's permission to engage in talks.