[Al Arabiya Latest] Washington wants stalled Middle East peace talks to resume soon and wrap up quickly, United States envoy George Mitchell told Israeli leaders on Tuesday, as it was announced he would make his first visit to Syria.
| Perhaps if your boss hadn't so openly insulted Israel, that might have happened. Perhaps had your boss not so openly sided with the Arabs against Israel, that might have happened. But your boss did, so the natural results commenced flowing downhill. |
Mitchell, whose visit comes just days before Israeli Prime Minister Benjamin Netanyahu is due to outline his cabinet's peace policy, sought to play down rising tensions between the two close allies over the U.S. peace drive. "We all share an obligation to create the conditions for the prompt resumption and early conclusion of negotiations," Mitchell said ahead of talks with Israeli President Shimon Peres.
"Amicable and positive" meetings
"We're now engaged in serious discussions with our Israeli and Palestinian and regional partners to support these efforts," said Mitchell, who met Prime Minister Benjamin Netanyahu, Defense Minister Ehud Barak and Foreign Minister Avigdor Lieberman.
According to Netanyahu's office, a two-hour private meeting with Mitchell was "amicable and positive."
| Because Ambassador Mitchell is not his boss. |
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