Originally published by the Voice of America (www.voanews.com).
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October 14, 2007

Rice in Israel, Expects No Breakthrough in Mideast Peace
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http://enews.voanews.com/t?ctl=19DF491:A6F02AD83191E1608760219A2B3BFD2C9574F7DCC14957C0 US Secretary of
State Condoleezza Rice has met with Israeli leaders at the start of
her latest Mideast peace mission after warning she does not expect any
breakthrough between Israel and the Palestinians





In this photo made available by the US embassy in Tel Aviv, U.S
Secretary of State Condoleezza Rice, right, shakes hand with Israeli
Defense Minister Ehud Barak during their meeting in Jerusalem, Sunday
14 Oct. 2007

U.S. Secretary of State Condoleezza Rice has arrived in the Middle
East for a new peace mission. As Robert Berger reports from VOA's
Jerusalem bureau, she is lowering expectations.

Secretary of State Rice will hold separate talks with Israeli and
Palestinian leaders during a four-day shuttle mission. They are trying
to hammer out a document on Palestinian statehood to be presented at
an international peace conference in the United States later this
year. Both sides are reporting progress, but gaps remain wide on
thorny issues like the status of Jerusalem, Palestinian refugees and
final borders.

As she flew into the region from Russia, Rice told reporters not to
expect a breakthrough. She said she did not believe her visit would
produce a final document on Palestinian statehood or reach a point
that invitations could be issued to the peace conference.

Prime Minister Ehud Olmert also lowered expectations at the weekly
Cabinet meeting in Jerusalem.

Mr. Olmert said for the first time that an outline for a peace
agreement was not a prerequisite for holding the peace conference.

That is diametrically opposed to the Palestinian position, that the
U.S. should not convene the conference until an agreement is reached.
Palestinian negotiator Saeb Erekat.

Erekat told Israel Radio that if there is no timetable and framework
for the creation of a Palestinian state, the peace process could fail.
He warned that the Israeli position could have very negative
consequences.

Rice will try to narrow the gaps as she shuttles between Jerusalem and
the West Bank. She will also visit Egypt, and cap the trip on Thursday
in London, where she will meet with Jordan's King Abdullah.




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