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Rice Returns to Middle East

Secretary of State wants to see 'real progress on the ground'

By Kevin Spak, Newser Staff

Posted Mar 29, 2008 4:47 PM CDT

(Newser) – Condoleezza Rice returned to Jerusalem today to push for progress on Israeli/Palestinian peace talks, al Jazeera reports. Rice says she plans to focus on improving movement through the West Bank. “I would like to see real, concrete progress on the ground,” she said. Palestinians say Israeli checkpoints are choking their economy, but Israel deems the checkpoints necessary to counter terror attacks.

“Obviously, there are security issues but we do have to find ways to improve movement,” said Rice. In addition to meetings with each side, Rice will hold a joint talk with Palestinian Prime Minister Salam Fayyad and Israeli Defense Minister Ehud Barack, a possible sign of the urgency she places on her second Mideast trip this month.

Israeli Prime Minister Ehud Olmert, right, is seen with U.S. Secretary of State Condoleezza Rice, left, in Jerusalem, Saturday, March 29, 2008. (AP Photo/GPO, Moshe Milner, HO)

Israeli Prime Minister Ehud Olmert is seen with U.S. Secretary of State Condoleezza Rice in Jerusalem, Saturday, March 29, 2008. (AP Photo/GPO, Moshe Milner, HO)

Israeli Prime Minister Ehud Olmert, right, shakes hands with U.S. Secretary of State Condoleezza Rice, left, in Jerusalem, Saturday, March 29, 2008. (AP Photo/GPO, Moshe Milner, HO)

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Secretary of State wants to see 'real progress on the ground'

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Rice Returns to Middle East

Secretary of State wants to see 'real progress on the ground'

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OTHER STORIES ON OUR RADAR

Israel • Palestine • Condoleezza Rice • West Bank • Israel and Palestinians • Mideast peace talks

MOST POPULAR STORIES

[ By Views ]

[ By Comments ]

More Newser Stories

Construction Begins as Settlement Freeze Expires

But Mahmoud Abbas not leaving peace talks yet

Israel: We're Ready to Make a Deal on Settlements

But 'there cannot be zero construction'

Israel OKs 1,100 More Homes in East Jerusalem

Palestine condemns move

Netanyahu Will Push for Settlement Freeze

Official gives details of proposed deal

Israel Considers Leasing East Jerusalem

Israel would keep land for 40 to 99 years

About Us

Site

Newser By Users

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Site Maps

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More News

What is Newser?