Negotiations Mediated by the U.S. - 2002-03-23

Negotiations Mediated by the U.S. - 2002-03-23. A shadow of violence looms over the resumed ceasefire talks between Israelis and Palestinians. While negotiations mediated by the U.S. were being resumed, a Palestinian suicide bomber detonated a bomb that killed himself and injured an Israeli soldier at a checkpoint in the West Bank. Israeli and Palestinian officials say they have made no progress in their security talks in Tel Aviv with Anthony Zinni, the U.S. special envoy to the Middle East. An Israeli official stated that the heads of the security organizations of both sides are likely to hold new negotiations tomorrow to try to establish a ceasefire. Yesterday, as talks were resuming, three other Palestinians were killed in clashes between Palestinians and Israelis. Meanwhile, President Bush, who is traveling in Mexico, stated in Monterrey that if Yasser Arafat stops attacks against Israelis, a meeting between him and Richard Cheney, the U.S. Vice President, would be possible. Mr. Cheney recently visited the Middle East and met with Israeli leaders but refused to meet with Arafat due to the ongoing violence.