U.S. calls for resumption of peace negotiations in the Middle East

The United States Sunday called for the resumption of direct negotiations between the Palestinians and Israel without preconditions. In a statement issued here last night, the spokesperson for the U.S. Department of State said "We welcome the announcement that the Israeli government expressed its readiness to resume negotiations with the Palestinians, as called for by the (Middle East) Quartet." The statement added that "the United States again calls upon the parties to resume negotiations without preconditions and in accordance with the timetable proposed by the Quartet as the negotiations are the best way to achieve the interests of both parties, resolve their differences and achieve the vision of President (Obama) for the two states."