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Rice: Peace deal could happen by year's end By Haaretz Correspondent and News Agencies , By Avi Issacharoff Israel and the Palestinians can still reach a peace agreement by the end of the year, despite the recent violence in the Gaza Strip, visiting U.S. Secretary of State Condoleezza Rice said yesterday. Rice, who met with Palestinian Authority President Mahmoud Abbas and Palestinian Prime Minister Salam Fayyad in Ramallah, urged both parties to return to the negotiation table as soon as possible. Advertisement "What we are trying to achieve is not easy ... but I do believe it can be done," Rice said at a joint press conference with Abbas. "We need very much for everybody to be focused on peace," he added. For his part, Abbas said that "peace and negotiations are our strategic choice," but fell short of announcing a resumption of peace talks that his government cut off after the upsurge in fighting in Gaza. "I call on the Israeli government to halt its aggression so the necessary environment can be created to make negotiations succeed, for us and for them, to reach the shores of peace in 2008," Abbas said, referring to the goal - stated at a U.S.-sponsored Mideast peace conference in November - of reaching an Israeli-Palestinian peace treaty by the end of the year. A comprehensive cease-fire Palestinian sources said Abbas' discussion with Rice centered around the idea of a comprehensive cease-fire in the West Bank and Gaza. Abbas emphasized the need for a lull to allow the peace process to move forward, the sources said, adding that the PA has no problem with renewing negotiations however that an appropriate mechanism must be found to allow for unimpeded progress in the wake of the fighting. Hamas said Rice's visit was unwanted and was intended to cover up "the crimes of the occupation." Earlier, Rice visited Cairo and announced that she had waived the Congressional restrictions withholding $100 million in military aid to Egypt. The funds were released in an effort to improve bilateral relations and encourage Egypt to take a more active part in the Israeli-Palestinian peace process. Bookmark to del.icio.us   Halimi, relived A Jewish teen is tortured where Ilan Halimi died in similar circumstances. Bus-bomb capital Four buses designed to thwart suicide bombings are tested in J'lem.

Today Online MI: Iran arming Hezbollah with missiles via Turkey Responses: 231 Leviev: Zionism is bankrupt due to 'new American religion' Responses: 97 Israel-PA talks 'may resume as early as Thursday ' Responses: 86 Moshe Arens: It was too much to hope for that the IDF would invade Gaza Responses: 62 Rosner: Americans have a favorable view of Israel, especially Republicans Responses: 59 More Headlines 01:26 Peace talks with PA likely to resume Thursday 01:34 Palestinian killed, Israeli hurt in drive-by shooting in W. Bank 02:21 Settlers agree to evacuate several illegal West Bank outposts 22:01 Hezbollah: We're ready for war with Israel, but we won't start it 01:57 Jewish teen tortured in French town where Ilan Halimi was killed 21:55 Suicide bomber 'resistant' buses being tested in Jerusalem 23:12 Arab League vows to drop out of NPT if Israel admits it has nuclear weapons 20:42 Clinton hints she is willing to share ticket with Obama 23:36 Haaretz.com launches innovative Jewish genealogy service 20:36 Diplomat James Cunningham to be named U.S. envoy to Israel 18:28 Israeli Arab jailed for 16 years over 'honor killing' of his sister 18:45 Arab League condemns IDF Gaza operation as 'crime against humanity' Previous Editions Select Day 05 mar 04 mar 03 mar 02 mar 29 feb 28 feb 27 feb 26 feb 25 feb 24 feb 22 feb 21 feb

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