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                    Kerry in Jordan for Mideast Peace Talks

   by Scott Stearns

   U.S. Secretary of State John Kerry meets with Israeli and Palestinian
   officials in Jordan Monday, before traveling to France for talks with
   Russian Foreign Minister Sergei Lavrov on ending Syria's civil war.
   Kerry says the question for those working toward Middle East peace is
   simple.
   "Will we, despite the historic hurdles, have the courage to make the
   choices that we know we need to make in order to break the stalemate
   and provide a change of life for people in this region?" he asked.
   Kerry said how they answer that will determine whether young people in
   the region realize their potential and grasp the possibility of peace.
   Kerry will meet separately Monday with Israeli Justice Minister Tzipi
   Livni, former Jordanian Crown Prince Hassan bin Talal and Palestinian
   President Mahmoud Abbas.
   President Abbas says Palestinians have suffered long enough.
   "We can not accept insulting the dignity of a people that is struggling
   for freedom and for independence and for practicing its legitimate
   right to self-determination," said Abbas. "The Palestinian people are
   eager for peace after a continuous struggling that lasted for 65
   years."
   At that forum, Israeli President Shimon Peres said Kerry brings an
   impressive momentum to the peace process.
   "We and our Palestinian neighbors must return to the negotiations as
   soon as possible and really bring peace," said Peres.  "President
   Abbas, you are our partner and we are yours."
   In addition to Middle East peace talks, Kerry is working to end Syria's
   civil war as part of a U.S.-Russian initiative to form a transitional
   government for Damascus. Kerry meets Lavrov in Paris Monday for a
   working dinner along with French Foreign Minister Laurent Fabius.
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   [1]http://www.voanews.com/content/kerry-in-jordan-for-mideast-peace-tal
   ks/1668885.html

References

   1. http://www.voanews.com/content/kerry-in-jordan-for-mideast-peace-talks/1668885.html