U.S. Representative Engages in Negotiations with Senior Israeli Officials - 2003-05-04

Israeli media reported today that Israeli Prime Minister Ariel Sharon may meet with Palestinian Prime Minister Mahmoud Abbas in the coming days. According to reports, this meeting is likely to take place after a potential meeting between Colin Powell, the U.S. Secretary of State, and Mr. Abbas during Powell's trip to the Middle East next week. Meanwhile, William Burns, the U.S. representative in the Middle East, has engaged in negotiations with senior Israeli officials as part of the U.S. efforts to revive the peace process in the region. His discussions today with Israeli Foreign Minister Silvan Shalom are seen as paving the way for Colin Powell's visit to the region. The international peace plan known as the Roadmap for Peace, which outlines various stages to end the Israeli-Palestinian conflict by 2005, was at the center of the negotiations. Mr. Shalom told reporters that advancing the peace plan depends on the determination of Palestinian leadership to refrain from terrorism. Mr. Powell, at the end of a trip to Syria and Lebanon yesterday, urged the leaders in Damascus and Beirut to support the Roadmap for Peace and told them they must reconsider their stance in support of anti-Israeli guerrilla groups. He stated that Washington is waiting to see how Syria will engage with the U.S. now that Saddam Hussein has been ousted from power in Iraq. Mr. Powell also expressed that Washington would like to see a Lebanon free of foreign forces, referring to the presence of thousands of Syrian troops and Iran-backed Hezbollah fighters in southern Lebanon acting against Israel. Reuters quoted Hezbollah leaders as saying they are confident that Lebanon and Syria will not yield to U.S. demands.