Olmert, Abbas Agree to Meeting Schedule

Mar 27, 11:25 AM

Current Headlines: U.S. Secretary of State Condoleezza Rice brokered a deal in Jerusalem between Israeli and Palestinian leaders to meet twice a week to address security issues.

Since Sunday, Rice has shuttled between Prime Minister Ehud Olmert and Palestinian President Mahmoud Abbas, and on Monday told a news conference the talks will address concerns of the moment, CNN reported.

These are initial discussions to build confidence between the parties, Rice said. Palestinians must know that their state will be viable. Israelis must know that a future state of Palestine will be a source of security, not a threat to it.

She also said the leaders' agreement was a surprise, The New York Times reported.

I'm delighted that they're going to talk and they're going to talk often, she said. They achieved something that I didn't expect.

Rice said the formation of the new Palestinian unity government was welcome, but still problematic because of the inclusion of militant Hamas members.

A path of cooperation with the new Palestinian government exists but it is blocked by Hamas' continued unwillingness to commit itself, in word and deed, to ... renouncing violence, recognizing Israel's right to exist and adhering to previous agreements and obligations, she said.