LUXOR, Egypt – Hoping to breathe life into moribund peace efforts, the United States will gather Israeli and Palestinian leaders to discuss an eventual independent Palestinian state, Secretary of State Condoleezza Rice said Monday.
Diplomats described the three-way U.S.-Israeli-Palestinian meeting as a preliminary session meant to strengthen Palestinian President Mahmoud Abbas in his internal power struggle with Palestinian Islamic militants and to offer Palestinians a glimpse of their future that makes negotiating with Israel seem worthwhile.
Abbas and Olmert agreed to attend the session, to be held in three or four weeks, U.S. officials said. Rice would represent the United States, with the thought that Bush could participate at a future session if initial discussions go well.
In Israel, Prime Minister Ehud Olmert confirmed the planned session with Rice and Abbas.
Saeb Erekat, an aide to Abbas, could not confirm whether Abbas would attend, but said “in principle” the Palestinians are prepared to take part.
Rice is touring the Middle East this week in what she bills an effort to listen to ideas to rekindle the stalled peace process known as the “road map,” which outlines stages that begin with some initial concessions by Israel and the Palestinians alike.
But she has been hearing conflicting advice on her trip: The Israelis have advanced the idea of jumping to the second stage, an interim stage, and the Palestinians have pressed for going to the third stage, a permanent stage. Egypt and Jordan want to drop the road map and move immediately to “final status” talks, Egyptian Foreign Minister Ahmed Aboul Gheit said last week.
Rice has not tipped her hand about which approach she favors – or whether she has her own ideas.
Rice told reporters Sunday that she planned longer meetings with Arab and Israeli officials during this trip. She noted that this was her third trip to the region since October to discuss the Israeli-Palestinian issue. She renewed her pledge to devote more effort to achieving peace.
“We have heard loud and clear the call for deeper American engagement,” Rice said. “You will have my commitment to do precisely that.”
Adding to the thorny issues, the Israeli government announced plans Monday to build new homes in its largest West Bank settlement, defying American opposition to such construction.
The road map requires Israel to halt all settlement building and specifically bans construction for growing families among the settlers.
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