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                    Kerry, Hague Try to Revive Mideast Talks

   The top diplomats of the United States and Britain have made a joint
   attempt to revive Israeli-Palestinian peace talks by shuttling between
   Jerusalem and Ramallah to meet the leaders of both sides.
   U.S. Secretary of State John Kerry and British Foreign Secretary
   William Hague held separate meetings with Israeli Prime Minister
   Benjamin Netanyahu on Thursday, saying they hope to make progress in
   restarting the negotiations. The two diplomats also met separately with
   Palestinian President Mahmoud Abbas in Ramallah later in the day.
   But, there was no sign that the Israeli or Palestinian leaderships were
   ready to make any shifts in long-standing positions that have kept
   peace talks largely frozen since late 2008. There also was no
   announcement from Kerry or Hague of any new Western ideas to bring the
   two sides together.
   In Jerusalem, Kerry praised what he called Mr. Netanyahu`s
   "seriousness" and "personal energy" in trying to find a path to
   Israeli-Palestinian peace talks. Kerry also said he understands
   skepticism and even cynicism in the region about the long-stalled
   process.
   "There have been bitter years of disappointment. It is our hope that by
   being methodical, careful, patient, but detailed and tenacious, that we
   can lay out a path ahead that can conceivably surprise people certainly
   exhaust the possibilities of peace."
   Mr. Netanyahu told Kerry that Israel wants to restart the peace talks
   "above all" and hopes the Palestinians want to do the same, adding that
   "where there is a will, we will find a way."
   Mr. Abbas has said he will not negotiate with Israel until it suspends
   Jewish settlement construction on occupied land in the West Bank and
   East Jerusalem - areas Palestinians claim for an independent state.
   Mr. Netanyahu has said settlement construction will continue and he is
   ready to negotiate without preconditions.
   Neither Kerry nor Hague made any remarks to the media during or after
   their separate talks with Mr. Abbas in Ramallah. There also was no word
   from Mr. Abbas`s Palestinian Authority on what was discussed.
   But, both diplomats made gestures toward the Palestinians. Kerry walked
   along a Ramallah street and ate at a Palestinian restaurant in a rare
   public walkabout for a senior U.S. official in a Palestinian city.
   Hague pledged $500 million in British aid to the Palestinian Authority
   to run hospitals, schools and social welfare services in the next four
   years. He also met with Palestinian youths and Bedouin villagers.
   Earlier, Hague began his meeting with Mr. Netanyahu by saying London
   will support Kerry`s Mideast peace efforts.
   "We urged all parties to move the process forward and to really give
   the bold and decisive leadership that will allow success to happen and
   avoid steps that undermine it and I welcome Prime Minister Netanyahu`s
   clear commitment to a two-state solution.``
   Speaking alongside Hague, the Israeli prime minister also raised the
   issue of Iran`s controversial nuclear program.
   "Despite the economic and diplomatic pressures, the international
   community has so far been unable to prevent Iran from pursuing its
   nuclear weapons program. Obviously, this is the biggest challenge
   facing us. I think it is the biggest challenge of our times."
   Israel, Britain and other Western powers accuse Iran of trying to
   develop nuclear weapons under cover of a civilian energy program.
   Tehran says its nuclear activities are peaceful.
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References

   1. http://www.voanews.com/content/kerry-hague-try-to-revive-mideast-talks/1667113.html