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Settlements top US-Israel talks US-Israeli talks make 'progress'
(about 1 hour 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 and Israeli PM Benjamin Netanyahu said they had "productive" talks aimed at restarting the regional peace process.
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. There was no mention of Israel agreeing to halt settlement construction, a key demand the US has made of its ally.
Mr Netanyahu has previously rejected a freeze on settlement building, saying "natural growth" must be allowed. Mr Netanyahu has previously rejected such a freeze, saying "natural growth" of settlements must be allowed.
The Palestinians have said all building must cease before talks can resume. Mr Mitchell is one of several senior US officials in the region pushing for a comprehensive Middle East peace deal.
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. The Palestinians have said all Israeli settlement building on occupied territory must cease before talks can resume.
US Defence Secretary Robert Gates has arrived in Baghdad after talks in Israel with officials there on Iran and its nuclear programme. Relations soured
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. After a nearly three-hour meeting that was expected to focus on the settlements issue, the men spoke briefly to reporters. There was no mention of settlements.
"Good progress" was made, said Mr Mitchell, an experienced diplomat who negotiated the Northern Ireland peace agreement.
Settlement building has been a major irritant in Israeli-Palestinian ties
"We look forward to continuing our discussions to reach a point that we can all move forward to reach a comprehensive peace," he said.
Mr Netanyahu said they were making progress "toward achieving the understanding that will enable us to continue and complete the peace process established between us and Palestinian neighbours and the countries in the entire region".
Relations between the two allies have soured in recent weeks over US demands that the settlement construction halt.
The US is making a major diplomatic push seeking a comprehensive Middle East peace deal.
President Barack Obama's National Security Adviser James Jones and veteran diplomat Dennis Ross are also to arrive in the region to join the effort.
'Roadmap obligations''Roadmap obligations'
In earlier meetings in the region, Mr Mitchell urged all countries in the region to make the difficult choices needed for peace. In earlier meetings in the region, Mr Mitchell urged all countries to make the difficult choices needed for peace.
"That includes between Israel and Palestinians, between Syrians and Israelis, between Israel and Lebanon and the normalisation of relations between Israel and al of the countries in the region," Mr Mitchell said late on Monday after a meeting with Palestinian Authority President Mahmoud Abbas."That includes between Israel and Palestinians, between Syrians and Israelis, between Israel and Lebanon and the normalisation of relations between Israel and al of the countries in the region," Mr Mitchell said late on Monday after a meeting with Palestinian Authority President Mahmoud Abbas.
Settlement building has been a major irritant in Israeli-Palestinian ties
Earlier, he told Israeli President Shimon Peres that Israel could improve the climate by "dealing with difficult issues like settlements and outposts".Earlier, he told Israeli President Shimon Peres that Israel could improve the climate by "dealing with difficult issues like settlements and outposts".
US-Israeli relations have become strained since President Obama demanded a halt to all Israeli settlement building in the occupied West Bank. 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
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.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.
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, says the BBC's Tim Franks in Jerusalem.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, says the BBC's Tim Franks in Jerusalem.
The Palestinians have previously 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. The Palestinians have previously said nothing short of a complete and immediate end to settlement building will do.
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
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.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 was speaking after the meeting between Mr Mitchell and Mr Abbas in the West Bank town of Ramallah.He was speaking after the meeting between Mr Mitchell and Mr Abbas in the West Bank town of Ramallah.
Mr Mitchell said the Palestinians should "take action against incitement and... refrain from any words or deeds that may make it more difficult to move quickly toward successful negotiations".Mr Mitchell said the Palestinians should "take action against incitement and... refrain from any words or deeds that may make it more difficult to move quickly toward successful negotiations".
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.
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.
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.
Iran optionsIran options
Relations with Iran have also been on the agenda, with Israel saying Tehran's nuclear programme remains its number-one concern.Relations with Iran have also been on the agenda, with Israel saying Tehran's nuclear programme remains its number-one concern.
Before leaving Israel to travel to Jordan and then Iraq, Defence Secretary Gates said US overtures to Iran were "not open-ended".Before leaving Israel to travel to Jordan and then Iraq, Defence Secretary Gates said US overtures to Iran were "not open-ended".
He was referring to a statement Mr Obama made in January, shortly after taking office, where he said if Iran and countries like it were "willing to unclench their fists, they will find an extended hand from us".He was referring to a statement Mr Obama made in January, shortly after taking office, where he said if Iran and countries like it were "willing to unclench their fists, they will find an extended hand from us".
Mr Obama was hoping for a response by the time of the UN General Assembly in September, Mr Gates added. Israeli officials have said military action remained an option on Iran.
Israeli defence minister 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".
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.
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