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Settlements top US-Israel talks Settlements top US-Israel talks
(40 minutes later)
US Middle East envoy George Mitchell is expected to call on Israel to halt new settlement construction, in a meeting with Israeli PM Benjamin Netanyahu.US Middle East envoy George Mitchell is expected to call on Israel to halt new settlement construction, in a meeting with Israeli PM Benjamin Netanyahu.
Mr Mitchell earlier said such difficult choices would need to be made, as he continues a US push seeking a comprehensive Middle East peace deal.Mr Mitchell earlier said such difficult choices would need to be made, as he continues a US push seeking a comprehensive Middle East peace deal.
Mr Netanyahu has previously rejected a freeze on settlement building, saying "natural growth" must be allowed.Mr Netanyahu has previously rejected a freeze on settlement building, saying "natural growth" must be allowed.
Settlement building has been a major irritant in ties with the Palestinians. Settlement building has been a major block to peace with the Palestinians.
Mr Mitchell is one of several senior US officials visiting the Middle East trying to push the key players to take meaningful steps towards a comprehensive regional peace settlement.
US Defence Secretary Robert Gates has arrived in Baghdad after talks in Israel with officials there on Iran and its nuclear programme.
President Barack Obama's National Security Adviser James Jones and veteran diplomat Dennis Ross are also to arrive in the region to join the diplomatic offensive.
'Roadmap obligations'
In earlier meetings in the region, Mr Mitchell urged Israelis and Palestinians to make the difficult choices needed for peace.In earlier meetings in the region, Mr Mitchell urged Israelis and Palestinians to make the difficult choices needed for peace.
Palestinian divisions He told Israeli President Shimon Peres on Monday that Israel could improve the climate by "dealing with difficult issues like settlements and outposts".
On Monday night, he met Palestinian Authority President Mahmoud Abbas in the West Bank town of Ramallah, where he told him the US was doing all it could to achieve a comprehensive peace. US-Israeli relations have become strained since President Obama demanded a halt to all Israeli settlement building in the occupied West Bank.
Palestinian negotiator Saeb Erakat afterwards accused Israel of failing "to fulfill any of its roadmap obligations, including a settlement freeze, the reopening of Palestinian institutions in East Jerusalem, removal of outposts, the release of Palestinian prisoners", reports AFP news agency. All settlements are illegal under international law, though Israel disputes this. Israel has settled more than 450,000 Jews in the occupied West Bank, including East Jerusalem.
US DIPLOMATIC DIARY Special envoy to the Middle East George Mitchell (to Syria, Israel, Palestinian Territories, Egypt, Bahrain)Defence Secretary Robert Gates (to Israel, Jordan)National Security Adviser James Jones (to Israel)Envoy to the Gulf states Dennis Ross (to Israel) Profile: George Mitchell Israel downplays settlement rift
Although the Israelis are reluctant to agree to demands that they stop settlement building, there may be a compromise brewing whereby the Israelis agree to finish the building of 2,000 new apartments a short distance inside the West Bank, but freeze all other construction.
However, the Palestinians have said nothing short of a complete and immediate end to settlement building will do. They have refused to meet their Israeli counterparts until settlement activity ceases.
Palestinian negotiator Saeb Erakat accused Israel of failing "to fulfill any of its roadmap obligations, including a settlement freeze, the reopening of Palestinian institutions in East Jerusalem, removal of outposts, the release of Palestinian prisoners", reports AFP news agency.
He spoke late on Monday after a meeting between Mr Mitchell and Palestinian Authority President Mahmoud Abbas in the West Bank town of Ramallah.
Earlier in the day Mr Mitchell met President Hosni Mubarak in Cairo - a day earlier than initially scheduled, apparently at Mr Mubarak's request.Earlier in the day Mr Mitchell met President Hosni Mubarak in Cairo - a day earlier than initially scheduled, apparently at Mr Mubarak's request.
The Egyptians are currently brokering reconciliation talks between the deeply divided Palestinian factions of Fatah and Hamas.The Egyptians are currently brokering reconciliation talks between the deeply divided Palestinian factions of Fatah and Hamas.
Mr Gates reaffirmed 'the strong commitment of the US to the security of Israel'
Despite several rounds of talks, the two Palestinian factions are still at odds on the most sensitive issues, such as the shape of a future unity government, the remit of the joint security force and the system that would be implemented for any upcoming elections.Despite several rounds of talks, the two Palestinian factions are still at odds on the most sensitive issues, such as the shape of a future unity government, the remit of the joint security force and the system that would be implemented for any upcoming elections.
Palestinian leaders have also refused to meet their Israeli counterparts until settlement activity ceases. Iran options
All settlements are illegal under international law, though Israel disputes this. Israel has settled more than 450,000 Jews in the occupied West Bank, including East Jerusalem. Relations with Iran have also been on the agenda, with the US pushing for a response to earlier overtures.
In a meeting with Israeli President Shimon Peres on Monday, Mr Mitchell advised him that Israel could improve the climate by "dealing with difficult issues like settlements and outposts".
US National Security Advisor James Jones and veteran diplomat Dennis Ross are to join George Mitchell and US Defence Secretary Robert Gates in the diplomatic offensive.
Relations with Iran are also on the agenda, with the US pushing for a response to earlier overtures.
Mr Gates urged Iran to respond by September to US diplomatic offers.
Shortly after coming to office in January, Mr Obama said if Iran and countries like it were "willing to unclench their fists, they will find an extended hand from us".Shortly after coming to office in January, Mr Obama said if Iran and countries like it were "willing to unclench their fists, they will find an extended hand from us".
US DIPLOMATIC DIARY Special envoy to the Middle East George Mitchell (to Syria, Israel, Palestinian Territories, Egypt, Bahrain)Defence Secretary Robert Gates (to Israel, Jordan)National Security Adviser James Jones (to Israel)Envoy to the Gulf states Dennis Ross (to Israel) class="" href="/2/hi/americas/3532247.stm">Profile: George Mitchell class="" href="/2/hi/middle_east/8127980.stm">Israel downplays settlement rift On Monday, Defence Secretary Gates said the US offer to Iran was "not open-ended", echoing comments by US Secretary of State Hillary Clinton earlier this month.
On Monday, Mr Gates said the US offer to Iran was "not open-ended", echoing comments by US Secretary of State Hillary Clinton earlier this month. Mr Gates reaffirmed 'the strong commitment of the US to the security of Israel'
Mr Obama was hoping for a response by the time of the UN General Assembly in September, Mr Gates added.Mr Obama was hoping for a response by the time of the UN General Assembly in September, Mr Gates added.
His Israeli counterpart Ehud Barak indicated that military action remained an option on Iran, following talks with Mr Gates in Jerusalem. His Israeli counterpart Ehud Barak indicated that military action remained an option on Iran, following talks with Mr Gates in Jerusalem. But he added that "priority should be given still to diplomacy and sanctions".
Israel says Iran's alleged nuclear ambitions remain its number-one concern and in recent weeks the US has expressed dismay about Iran's suppression of protests over disputed presidential elections.Israel says Iran's alleged nuclear ambitions remain its number-one concern and in recent weeks the US has expressed dismay about Iran's suppression of protests over disputed presidential elections.
Iran denies claims it wants to build nuclear weapons, saying it is enriching uranium for a civilian energy programme.Iran denies claims it wants to build nuclear weapons, saying it is enriching uranium for a civilian energy programme.
Mr Barak cautioned that "no option" had been removed in its handling of Iran - suggesting military force remained a possibility - though "priority should be given still to diplomacy and sanctions".
The two men struck a conciliatory tone, with Mr Gates speaking of a "good meeting" with Mr Barak and reaffirming America's "strong commitment" to Israel's security.
Mr Gates later held talks with Prime Minister Netanyahu. The Israeli leader's office said in a statement that he had emphasised the need to use "all available means" to prevent Iran developing nuclear weapons.Mr Gates later held talks with Prime Minister Netanyahu. The Israeli leader's office said in a statement that he had emphasised the need to use "all available means" to prevent Iran developing nuclear weapons.
Mr Gates then travelled to Jordan for a meeting with King Abdullah, with the Palestinian issue and defence ties on the agenda.
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