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Rice Pushes Peace Talks With Olmert, Abbas

Takes mission to Jerusalem, West Bank

By Heather McPherson,  Newser User

Posted Aug 1, 2007 1:12 PM CDT
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(Newser) – Condoleezza Rice took her diplomatic tour to Jerusalem and the West Bank today, hoping to rekindle peace negotiations between Israel and the Palestinian government of Mahmoud Abbas. Rice comes bearing a promise from Saudi Arabia to support the peace conference proposed by the White House for later this year, Reuters reports.

The US wants to push Israeli PM Ehud Olmert to discuss Palestinian statehood, including core issues like borders and Palestinian refugees. Olmert says he's open to talks, but he's skeptical that Abbas, further weakened by the recent Hamas takeover of the Gaza Strip, is too weak to negotiate meaningfully.

Saudi Foreign Minister Saud al-Faisal, right meets with U.S. Secretary of State Condoleezza Rice in Jiddah, Saudi Arabia Wednesday, Aug. 1, 2007. Al-Faisal indicated that his country could attend a Middle East peace conference proposed by U.S. President George W. Bush for later this year in what would...
Saudi Foreign Minister Saud al-Faisal, right meets with U.S. Secretary of State Condoleezza Rice in Jiddah, Saudi Arabia Wednesday, Aug. 1, 2007. Al-Faisal indicated that his country could attend a Middle...   (Associated Press)
In this photo released by Saudi News Agency, U.S. Secretary of State Condoleezza Rice, second left, and U.S. Defence Secretary Robert Gates, left, meet with Saudi King Abdullah in Jeddah, Saudi Arabia, late, Tuesday, July 31, 2007. (AP Photo/HO, Saudi News Agency)
In this photo released by Saudi News Agency, U.S. Secretary of State Condoleezza Rice, second left, and U.S. Defence Secretary Robert Gates, left, meet with Saudi King Abdullah in Jeddah, Saudi Arabia,...   (Associated Press)
In this photo made available by the U.S. Embassy U.S. Secretary of State, Condoleezza Rice walks off her plane upon arrival in Tel Aviv's Ben Gurion airport Wednesday Aug. 1, 2007. Rice will begin laying the ground for a Mideast peace conference in the visit to Israel on...
In this photo made available by the U.S. Embassy U.S. Secretary of State, Condoleezza Rice walks off her plane upon arrival in Tel Aviv's Ben Gurion airport Wednesday Aug. 1, 2007. Rice will begin laying...   (Associated Press)
U.S. Secretary of State Condoleezza Rice looks on during a press conference following her meeting with selected Arab Foreign Ministers in the Red Sea resort of Sharm el-Sheik, Egypt, Tuesday, July 31, 2007. Rice met with Arab leaders on Tuesday as part of an effort to get their assistance...
U.S. Secretary of State Condoleezza Rice looks on during a press conference following her meeting with selected Arab Foreign Ministers in the Red Sea resort of Sharm el-Sheik, Egypt, Tuesday, July 31,...   (Associated Press)
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Israel • Middle East • Saudi Arabia • Ehud Olmert • Gaza • Mahmoud Abbas • Palestine • Hamas • Condoleezza Rice • Fatah • United States • Jerusalem • West Bank

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