This article is from the source 'nytimes' and was first published or seen on . It last changed over 40 days ago and won't be checked again for changes.

You can find the current article at its original source at http://www.nytimes.com/2014/05/13/world/middleeast/kerry-to-meet-palestinian-leader-in-first-exchange-since-peace-talks.html

The article has changed 2 times. There is an RSS feed of changes available.

Version 0 Version 1
Kerry to Meet Palestinian Leader in First Exchange Since Peace Talks Kerry to Meet Palestinian Leader in First Exchange Since Peace Talks
(4 months later)
WASHINGTON — Secretary of State John Kerry plans to meet in London on Thursday with Mahmoud Abbas, the president of the Palestinian Authority, the State Department announced Monday. WASHINGTON — Secretary of State John Kerry plans to meet in London on Thursday with Mahmoud Abbas, the president of the Palestinian Authority, the State Department announced Monday.
It will be Mr. Kerry’s first meeting with Mr. Abbas since the Obama administration said in April that it was going to “pause” its diplomatic efforts and reassess the Middle East peace process.It will be Mr. Kerry’s first meeting with Mr. Abbas since the Obama administration said in April that it was going to “pause” its diplomatic efforts and reassess the Middle East peace process.
“While the door remains open to a peace process, the purpose of the meeting is to discuss our ongoing relationship with the Palestinians,” Jen Psaki, the State Department spokeswoman, said in a statement.“While the door remains open to a peace process, the purpose of the meeting is to discuss our ongoing relationship with the Palestinians,” Jen Psaki, the State Department spokeswoman, said in a statement.
“As he has throughout the process, Secretary Kerry will reiterate a call he has made to both sides to maintain restraint and refrain from steps that would be unhelpful,” she added.“As he has throughout the process, Secretary Kerry will reiterate a call he has made to both sides to maintain restraint and refrain from steps that would be unhelpful,” she added.
The main purpose of Mr. Kerry’s London trip is to meet with European and Arab diplomats on the Syria crisis. While there, Mr. Kerry also plans to confer with his European counterparts on Ukraine.The main purpose of Mr. Kerry’s London trip is to meet with European and Arab diplomats on the Syria crisis. While there, Mr. Kerry also plans to confer with his European counterparts on Ukraine.
In a recent speech, Martin Indyk, the American envoy to the suspended peace talks, said that Israel and the Palestinians had each taken steps that “undermined the process.”In a recent speech, Martin Indyk, the American envoy to the suspended peace talks, said that Israel and the Palestinians had each taken steps that “undermined the process.”
“Whether we get there or not, however, ultimately comes down to leadership,” he said in the address, which was hosted by the Washington Institute for Near East Policy.“Whether we get there or not, however, ultimately comes down to leadership,” he said in the address, which was hosted by the Washington Institute for Near East Policy.
Mr. Indyk added that Mr. Kerry was ready to “try again, if they are prepared to do so in a serious way.”Mr. Indyk added that Mr. Kerry was ready to “try again, if they are prepared to do so in a serious way.”
Robert M. Danin, a senior fellow at the Council on Foreign Relations, said there was no indication the peace talks were about to resume.Robert M. Danin, a senior fellow at the Council on Foreign Relations, said there was no indication the peace talks were about to resume.
“This is likely to be a pure bilateral meeting, with Kerry probably explaining to Abbas that unhelpful unilateral Palestinian gestures will have consequences for the U.S.-Palestinian relationship, particularly when it comes to American assistance issues,” Mr. Danin said.“This is likely to be a pure bilateral meeting, with Kerry probably explaining to Abbas that unhelpful unilateral Palestinian gestures will have consequences for the U.S.-Palestinian relationship, particularly when it comes to American assistance issues,” Mr. Danin said.