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US-Israel talks on Palestinians US-Israel talks on Palestinians
(about 1 hour later)
US President George W Bush is set to hold talks at the White House with the Israeli Prime Minister, Ehud Olmert.US President George W Bush is set to hold talks at the White House with the Israeli Prime Minister, Ehud Olmert.
The meeting is expected to focus on events in the Palestinian Territories, where President Mahmoud Abbas has named an emergency cabinet excluding Hamas.The meeting is expected to focus on events in the Palestinian Territories, where President Mahmoud Abbas has named an emergency cabinet excluding Hamas.
On Monday, the US announced it had lifted its financial and diplomatic embargo on the Palestinian Authority.On Monday, the US announced it had lifted its financial and diplomatic embargo on the Palestinian Authority.
Correspondents say the US wants Mr Olmert to follow its lead and quickly resume contacts with the Palestinians.Correspondents say the US wants Mr Olmert to follow its lead and quickly resume contacts with the Palestinians.
The European Union also announced on Monday that it would "resume normal relations with the Palestinian Authority immediately".The European Union also announced on Monday that it would "resume normal relations with the Palestinian Authority immediately".
It said it was assessing ways of resuming direct economic aid to the government, but wanted to see proper financial mechanisms in place beforehand.It said it was assessing ways of resuming direct economic aid to the government, but wanted to see proper financial mechanisms in place beforehand.
The EU and US imposed an embargo on the previous Hamas-led administration after the Islamist group came to power 18 months ago.The EU and US imposed an embargo on the previous Hamas-led administration after the Islamist group came to power 18 months ago.
Mr Abbas dismissed the government on Thursday after it seized control of the Gaza Strip. The factional fighting left more than 100 people dead.Mr Abbas dismissed the government on Thursday after it seized control of the Gaza Strip. The factional fighting left more than 100 people dead.
US supportUS support
The BBC's Justin Webb in Washington says the message from the Bush administration to Israel is already clear.The BBC's Justin Webb in Washington says the message from the Bush administration to Israel is already clear.
We will be ready to discuss with Mr Abbas the political horizon for what will eventually become the basis for a permanent agreement between us and the Palestinians Ehud Olmert Moves to support W Bank Send us your comments We will be ready to discuss with Mr Abbas the political horizon for what will eventually become the basis for a permanent agreement between us and the Palestinians Ehud Olmert Moves to support W Bank Send us your comments class="" href="/1/hi/talking_point/6766939.stm">Ask Jeremy Bowen
The White House wants Mr Olmert to re-open a full range of contacts with the Palestinians and to do it soon, our correspondent adds.The White House wants Mr Olmert to re-open a full range of contacts with the Palestinians and to do it soon, our correspondent adds.
On Monday, US Secretary of State Condoleezza Rice announced that her government would resume full diplomatic relations with the Palestinian Authority immediately.On Monday, US Secretary of State Condoleezza Rice announced that her government would resume full diplomatic relations with the Palestinian Authority immediately.
She criticised Hamas, which she said had tried to impose an extremist agenda on the Palestinian people.She criticised Hamas, which she said had tried to impose an extremist agenda on the Palestinian people.
"It is the duty of the international community to support those Palestinians who wish to build a better life, and a future of peace," Ms Rice added."It is the duty of the international community to support those Palestinians who wish to build a better life, and a future of peace," Ms Rice added.
She also announced $40m (£20m) of emergency aid to the UN Relief and Works Agency (Unrwa), which runs relief efforts in Gaza, now controlled by Hamas.She also announced $40m (£20m) of emergency aid to the UN Relief and Works Agency (Unrwa), which runs relief efforts in Gaza, now controlled by Hamas.
Earlier, in a 15-minute phone call with President Bush, Mr Abbas said the time was now right to push for new peace talks.Earlier, in a 15-minute phone call with President Bush, Mr Abbas said the time was now right to push for new peace talks.
'Genuine partner''Genuine partner'
Speaking in New York before the talks, Mr Olmert seemed receptive to the idea.Speaking in New York before the talks, Mr Olmert seemed receptive to the idea.
Q&A: Gaza chaos How Hamas took overQ&A: Gaza chaos How Hamas took over
He said the new set-up could pave the way for talks on a permanent peace agreement between Israel and the Palestinians.He said the new set-up could pave the way for talks on a permanent peace agreement between Israel and the Palestinians.
"We will be ready to discuss with Mr Abbas the political horizon for what will eventually become the basis for a permanent agreement between us and the Palestinians," he said on Sunday."We will be ready to discuss with Mr Abbas the political horizon for what will eventually become the basis for a permanent agreement between us and the Palestinians," he said on Sunday.
Mr Olmert said he was ready to renew regular contact with the Palestinian leader in order to "resolve the outstanding daily issues and move forward to finding ways to solve grander issues".Mr Olmert said he was ready to renew regular contact with the Palestinian leader in order to "resolve the outstanding daily issues and move forward to finding ways to solve grander issues".
Earlier, Mr Olmert said he would be willing to take "more risks" with co-operating with what he called a "genuine partner" in the West Bank.Earlier, Mr Olmert said he would be willing to take "more risks" with co-operating with what he called a "genuine partner" in the West Bank.
Israeli Foreign Minister Tzipi Livni also confirmed that up to $800m (£400m) of frozen tax revenues held by Israel would now be transferred to the Palestinian Authority.Israeli Foreign Minister Tzipi Livni also confirmed that up to $800m (£400m) of frozen tax revenues held by Israel would now be transferred to the Palestinian Authority.