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Abbas Rebuffs Rice on Talks

Rice urges Abbas: don't let extremists win

By Laurel Jorgensen,  Newser Staff

Posted Mar 5, 2008 3:00 AM CST
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(Newser) – Palestinian President Mahmoud Abbas refused to commit to resuming peace talks with Israel yesterday despite entreaties from Secretary of State Condoleezza Rice, the New York Times reports. "I call on the Israeli government to halt its aggression so the necessary environment can be created to make negotiations succeed," Abbas said.

The leaders met two days after Abbas suspended negotiations in the midst of Israel’s Gaza offensive following a Hamas rocket attack. Rice said after the meeting that she understood the situation, but “we must keep our eye on what we’re trying to achieve.” Abbas did not completely discount the idea of continuing talks, but refused to say when they might start up again.

US Secretary of State Condoleezza Rice, left, speaks with Palestinian President Mahmoud Abbas during their meeting in the Palestinian presidential headquarters in the West Bank city of Ramallah, Tuesday, March 4, 2008. Israeli aircraft sent missiles crashing into the Gaza Strip on Tuesday, pressing an offensive against Palestinian rocket squads...
US Secretary of State Condoleezza Rice, left, speaks with Palestinian President Mahmoud Abbas during their meeting in the Palestinian presidential headquarters in the West Bank city of Ramallah, Tuesday,...   (Associated Press)
In this photo released by the Palestinian Authority, Palestinian President Mahmoud Abbas, right, walks with US Secretary of State Condoleezza Rice, in the Palestinian presidential headquarters in the West Bank city of Ramallah, Tuesday, March 4, 2008. Israeli aircraft sent missiles crashing into the Gaza Strip on Tuesday, pressing an...
In this photo released by the Palestinian Authority, Palestinian President Mahmoud Abbas, right, walks with US Secretary of State Condoleezza Rice, in the Palestinian presidential headquarters in the...   (Associated Press)
A Palestinian youth uses a large branch to push a burning barricade into place during clashes with Israeli troops in the West Bank town of Bethlehem, Tuesday, March 4, 2008. Palestinian President Mahmoud Abbas on Tuesday said peace and negotiations are our strategic choice but fell short of announcing a...
A Palestinian youth uses a large branch to push a burning barricade into place during clashes with Israeli troops in the West Bank town of Bethlehem, Tuesday, March 4, 2008. Palestinian President Mahmoud...   (Associated Press)
Palestinian youths run from advancing Israeli troops during clashes in the West Bank town of Bethlehem, Tuesday, March 4, 2008. Palestinian President Mahmoud Abbas on Tuesday said peace and negotiations are our strategic choice but fell short of announcing a resumption of peace talks his government cut off after an...
Palestinian youths run from advancing Israeli troops during clashes in the West Bank town of Bethlehem, Tuesday, March 4, 2008. Palestinian President Mahmoud Abbas on Tuesday said "peace and negotiations...   (Associated Press)
A Palestinian woman looks out from a shop door, during clashes between Palestinian youths and Israeli troops in the West Bank town of Bethlehem, Tuesday, March 4, 2008. Palestinian President Mahmoud Abbas on Tuesday said peace and negotiations are our strategic choice, but fell short of announcing a resumption of...
A Palestinian woman looks out from a shop door, during clashes between Palestinian youths and Israeli troops in the West Bank town of Bethlehem, Tuesday, March 4, 2008. Palestinian President Mahmoud...   (Associated Press)
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Rice to continue push for negotiations
Reuters

 
Bush administration • Israel • Ehud Olmert • Gaza • Mahmoud Abbas • Palestine • Condoleezza Rice • Arab Israeli conflict • peace talks

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