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Cheney makes push for Middle East peace talks

With Palestinian complaints about Israeli settlement expansion fresh in his ears, US Vice President Dick Cheney turned his attention to Israel's top concerns yesterday as he sought to nudge the two sides closer to a Middle East peace agreement.

Iran was also expected to be one of the issues on Israel's agenda. Cheney planned to have breakfast yesterday with Israeli Prime Minister Ehud Olmert before heading to Turkey to meet Turkish President Abdullah Gul.

Israeli Defense Minister Ehud Barak told Cheney late on Sunday that Iran's military buildup "is endangering the stability of the region and the entire world" and that no option should be taken off the table concerning Tehran's nuclear program, a statement from Barak's office said.

Cheney's meeting with Olmert came a day after he met Palestinian leaders in Ramallah, who asked him to pressure Israel to halt settlement expansion.

The vice president said neither side should pass up this latest opportunity for an accord despite rancor over Israeli settlements and the retaliatory attacks from each side that have disrupted negotiations intended to lead to Palestinian statehood.

"This can be done and if all concerned stay at the work, success will be achieved," Cheney said, striking a hopeful tone on Easter Sunday during his first vice presidential visit to the Palestinian territory.

Saeb Erekat, an aide to Palestinian President Mahmoud Abbas, said Abbas cited the need for calm in the West Bank and Gaza, and said Israel must halt settlement expansion.

"I can't say that Mr Cheney brought anything new in his visit, but he reiterated President Bush's vision and commitment to having an independent Palestinian state," Erekat said.

Cheney's visit was part of the Bush administration's strategy to keep the pressure on negotiators. US President George W. Bush visited the region in January and returns in May, while Secretary of State Condoleezza Rice came this month and will be back next month.

Israel has pursued peace with Abbas, who is in control of the West Bank. Hamas militants wrested control of the Gaza Strip in June from Abbas-allied forces.

Cheney said a peace deal would mean "painful concessions" by both sides and require the will to defeat those who are committed to violence and refuse to accept the other side's right to exist.

In Turkey, a chief NATO ally, Cheney will discuss the Turks' recent eight-day ground incursion to hit Kurdish rebels who are using bases in northern Iraq as a launch pad for attacks in Turkey. The US has shared real-time intelligence with the Turks to allow them success in striking back at Kurdistan Workers' Party rebels.
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