U.S Vice President Cheney to Ramallah today for talks with PA President Abbas

Sunday March 23, 2008 10:57 by Rami Almeghari - IMEMC&Agencies

U.S Vice President, Dick Cheney, will arrive in Ramallah on Sunday for talks with Palestinian Authority President, Mahmoud Abbas, after completing a visit to Israel.

U.S Vice Presdient, Dick Cheney/ google images

The Palestine Radio station reported that Cheney will meet with both Abbas and his prime minister, Salam Fayyad, for talks over ongoing Israeli settlement activities and ways to advance the Palestinian-Israeli peace talks.

Cheney was quoted as saying yesterday in Israel that the U.S "pledges not to pressure Israel with respect steps that would threaten the security of Israel."

Spokesman of the ruling Hamas party in Gaza, Fawzi Barhoum, said in a faxed statement that Cheney's remarks were completely biased to Israel and "unfair."

Israeli radio reported that yesterday Cheney discussed with Israel's prime minister Ehud Olmert other issues such as Iran's nuclear energy program.  The media source added that Cheney will be meeting later on Sunday with Israel's president Shimon Peres, foreign minister Tsipi Livni, and defense minister Ehud Barak.

Last November, Washington attempted to revive stalled Palestinian/Israeli peace talks during the Annapolis summit in Maryland. The summit was based on a two-state solution before the end of 2008, which the Palestinians doubt reaching while occupation activities continue on Palestinian lands.

ramallah | palestinian politics | news report rami at imemc dot org