Israelis, Palestinians to resume talks
(AP)Updated: 2007-03-27 08:50
Rice has shuttled between Israeli, Palestinian and Arab leaders this week, trying to rally greater Arab support for eventual peace negotiations, and to persuade Israel to be more flexible in its dealings with Abbas.
Rice held two sessions apiece with Abbas and Olmert, including a lengthy evening meeting with Olmert in her Jerusalem hotel on Monday. The agreement for new meetings with Abbas apparently came then.
Rice had canceled plans for an evening press conference, at which she was expected to announce some new progress toward talks. She will hold that session on Tuesday instead, before returning to Washington.
Earlier Monday, Rice encouraged Israel and the Palestinians to continue direct talks, but said for now she is talking to each side separately.
"I don't intend by any means to take control of the Palestinian-Israeli bilateral dialogue," Rice told reporters before a meeting with Israeli Foreign Minister Tzipi Livni. "I think it's extremely important that that continue."
Speaking separately, Olmert said he "wouldn't hesitate" to take part in a regional summit. Palestinian officials cautiously endorsed the idea.
Any such meeting - especially if Saudi and Israeli officials were to publicly meet - would be a huge symbolic breakthrough. Saudis and Israelis are believed to have held private meetings in the last year.
Rice said it is "premature to talk about any specific kind of meeting," but another US official said the idea of a large group meeting is one proposal among several under discussion. Nothing has been scheduled.
Rice's visit was timed before a critical Arab League summit later this week in Saudi Arabia.
Rice wants Arab states to reissue a broad 2002 land-for-peace offer to Israel, and be willing to negotiate with the Jewish state. Some version of the plan is expected to be part of the upcoming summit in Riyadh.
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