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Rice returns to Middle East talks | Rice returns to Middle East talks |
(30 minutes later) | |
US Secretary of State Condoleezza Rice is on her way to Jerusalem in another attempt to restart the stalled Middle East peace process. | |
Ms Rice is due to hold talks with Israeli Prime Minister Ehud Olmert, and to meet with Palestinian Authority President Mahmoud Abbas. | Ms Rice is due to hold talks with Israeli Prime Minister Ehud Olmert, and to meet with Palestinian Authority President Mahmoud Abbas. |
It is her sixth visit to the region this year and it will not be the last. | It is her sixth visit to the region this year and it will not be the last. |
Mr Rice is stepping up US diplomatic efforts ahead of a major international peace conference in November. | Mr Rice is stepping up US diplomatic efforts ahead of a major international peace conference in November. |
With US encouragement, Mr Olmert and Mr Abbas have already held a series of face to face meetings to discuss the broad goal of creating a separate Palestinian state. | With US encouragement, Mr Olmert and Mr Abbas have already held a series of face to face meetings to discuss the broad goal of creating a separate Palestinian state. |
Palestinian divide | Palestinian divide |
The US is also giving financial assistance to build up the Palestinian Authority president's security forces | The US is also giving financial assistance to build up the Palestinian Authority president's security forces |
And it is backing Tony Blair's efforts to develop the Palestinian authorities, political institutions and economy. | And it is backing Tony Blair's efforts to develop the Palestinian authorities, political institutions and economy. |
But the political rift within the Palestinian territories has not been addressed. | But the political rift within the Palestinian territories has not been addressed. |
The US is continuing to try to isolate Hamas while others believe it must be part of any political process. | The US is continuing to try to isolate Hamas while others believe it must be part of any political process. |
And so far, Condoleezza Rice has not put forward any concrete proposals that would suggest the US has worked out a plan that would bring about a lasting peace. | And so far, Condoleezza Rice has not put forward any concrete proposals that would suggest the US has worked out a plan that would bring about a lasting peace. |