Forum Views ()
Forum Replies ()
Read more with google mobile :
Obama sees Mideast 'progress' possible this year
Yahoo!
My Yahoo!
Mail
More Yahoo! Services
Account Options
New User? Sign Up
Sign In
Help
Yahoo! Search
web search
Home
Singapore
Asia Pacific
World
Business
Entertainment
Sports
Technology
Africa
Europe
Latin America
Middle East
North America
Obama sees Mideast 'progress' possible this year
AFP - 2 hours 25 minutes ago
Send
IM Story
Print
WASHINGTON (AFP) - – President Barack Obama Wednesday pledged unwavering commitment to forge significant progress in the Middle East this year, despite the furor whipped up by Israel's raid on a Gaza aid flotilla.
Welcoming Palestinian president Mahmud Abbas to the White House, Obama promised the "full weight" of US diplomacy on the latest crisis and to push Israelis and Palestinians out of a "dead end" and into direct peace talks.
He also unveiled 400 million dollars of US aid for Gaza, to be spent on housing, education and infrastructure, calling the situation there "unsustainable" but warned a Palestinian state was the only long-term solution.
The White House talks came with the Arab world still livid about the Israeli raid on the activist aid flotilla on May 31, which killed nine people, and amid frantic US efforts to stop the uproar derailing peace efforts.
"I believe that potentially we can make some significant progress before the end of the year," Obama said, telling Abbas in the Oval Office he remained deeply committed to spending personal political capital in the Middle East.
The US leader said that the 400 million dollar aid package was meant to reaffirm US commitment to improving the "day to day lives of Palestinians."
He said it may be possible to take the "tragedy" over the Gaza aid convoy and turn it "into an opportunity to create a situation where lives in Gaza are actually, directly improved."
Abbas said that the aid package was "positive"and told Obama in front of reporters that he was not imposing conditions on moving from proximity talks to direct talks -- but needed to see real progress before doing so.
"We are working in order to make progress. President Obama is working for that, to see progress," Abbas said.
Palestinian chief negotiator Saeb Erakat told AFP that Abbas had specifically requested funding for vital Gaza Strip aid projects.
"Obama agreed to fund these projects by way of the United Nations and told Abbas that the United States would designate 400 million dollars for these projects."
Erakat added that the projects would be carried out by the UN agency for Palestinian refugees (UNRWA). Abbas has no authority to disperse aid in the impoverished Hamas-ruled Gaza Strip.
The US leader also called on Israel to live up to United Nations Security Council conditions on probing the flotilla raid, which laid out the need for "credible, international involvement."
"I've said to the Israelis directly ... it is in Israel's interest to make sure that everybody knows exactly how this happened so that we don't see these kinds of events occurring again."
But Israel has rejected any international inquiry into the affair, amid calls for an easing of the three-year blockade of Gaza.
Earlier, Israeli Prime Minister Benjamin Netanyahu said he was in talks with "several members of the international community" but said a probe should not focus on the role of Israeli soldiers in the raid.
Obama, while saying Israel had a right to make sure arms were not infiltrated into Gaza, also said that it should be possible to work out some kind of framework to avoid a repeat of the flotilla raid.
"It seems to us that there should be ways of focusing narrowly on arms shipments, rather than focusing in a blanket way on stopping everything and then, in a piecemeal way, allowing things into Gaza," he said.
Abbas met Obama a week after Netanyahu canceled his own White House trip to deal with the fallout from the Gaza crisis.
An Israeli official said earlier Netanyahu was working to reschedule the visit, which could take place before the end of June.
The Palestinian leader is also scheduled to meet with US lawmakers and National Security Adviser James Jones.
Recommend
Send
IM Story
Print
Related Articles
Explosion kills 39 at Afghan wedding in Kandahar AFP - 10 minutes ago
US sets deadline for BP as mistrust grows AFP - 32 minutes ago
Taliban down NATO helicopter in bloody week for alliance AFP - 1 hour 4 minutes ago
Liberals, Labour tie Dutch vote: exit poll AFP - 1 hour 10 minutes ago
UN slaps fourth set of sanctions on Iran AFP - 1 hour 14 minutes ago
News Search
Top Stories
Abu Dhabi to build 'world's largest' solar plant
Athens rejects default rumours as economy slumps
British students given 'sexy high-heel lessons'
Merkel, Sarkozy in joint push for market reform
Russia 'trusts and believes' in the Euro: Putin
More Top Stories »
ADVERTISEMENT
Most Popular
Most Viewed
Most Recommended
Obama 'would have fired BP chief'
Aquino wins Philippine presidential election
Austerity anger grows in Europe
Berlin Air Show takes off with record 'superjumbo' order
Barack's no mug: red-faced Aussies in spelling gaffe
More Most Viewed »
Hubble catches planet being devoured by its star
The point about pain: New study sheds light on acupuncture
US team creates first 'synthetic life'
Clashes as Israeli forces storm Gaza aid boat: Hamas TV
Egypt unearths tomb of pharaonic army chief
More Most Recommended »
Elsewhere on Yahoo!
Financial news on Yahoo! Finance
Stars and latest movies
Best travel destinations
More on Yahoo! News
Home
Singapore
Asia Pacific
World
Business
Entertainment
Sports
Technology
Subscribe to our news feeds
Top StoriesMy Yahoo!RSS
» More news feeds | What are news feeds?
Also on Yahoo
Answers
Groups
Mail
Messenger
Mobile
Travel
Finance
Movies
Sports
Games
» All Yahoo! Services
Site Highlights
Singapore
Full Coverage
Most Popular
Asia Entertainment
Photos
World Cup 2010
Copyright © 2010 Yahoo! Southeast Asia Pte. Ltd. (Co. Reg. No. 199700735D). All Rights Reserved.
Terms of Service |
Privacy Policy |
Community |
Intellectual Property Rights Policy |
Help
Other News on Thursday, 10 June 2010 Obama sees Mideast 'progress' possible this year
French hostage in Somalia asks help for release: SITE
Google gives itself a jolt of 'Caffeine'
UN slaps fourth set of sanctions on Iran
Abu Dhabi to build 'world's largest' solar plant
Estonia helps Afghan parliament with e-voting
UN hits Iran with new sanctions
Athens rejects default rumours as economy slumps
Rights group charge Turkey for Internet clampdown
Taliban down NATO helicopter in bloody week for alliance
British students given 'sexy high-heel lessons'
Zynga launches new Facebook game, 'FrontierVille'
Russia 'trusts and believes' in the Euro: Putin
Dutch vote seen deadlocked
|
Putin says "too early to predict my future"
Italian government calls confidence vote on wiretap law
|
Copter shot down in Afghanistan; 4 Americans dead
Somali group issues video of French hostage
|
Darfur rebels free 35 Sudan army prisoners
|
China stresses dialogue, negotiation on Iran
Uzbekistan, China pledge closer energy and security ties
Indonesian police probe celebrities over sex videos
Seven killed as gunmen torch NATO trucks in Pakistan
S.Lanka president's India visit marred by protests
Target Nearly Doubles Quarterly Dividend
Woman Having Sex On Picnic Table Charged With Adultery, Public Lewdness
Bernanke Says Recovery On Track, But Employment May Lag
US Silent Films Come Home From New Zealand
Google protests Apple's iPhone developers agreement
|
Japan finance chief says won't pressure central bank
U.N. Security Council Imposes New Sanctions On Iran
Animal Deaths From Oil Spill Only Now Becoming Known
Motorola: Droid sales extremely strong
|
David Tennant Joins Colin Farrell In Upcoming "Fright Night" Remake
Game makers gear up for splashiest E3 yet
|
Texas Principal Fired For Child Neglect
Ashley Tisdale Starts Production On "Sharpay's Fabulous Adventure"
Violent videogames harmless for most kids: studies
|
World Bank: India To Grow 8 Percent In 2011
'Time' for Spanish photo festival to open
Brazil's prosperity bursts forth on catwalk
600 watch 'The Cove' in Tokyo despite protest
Maalouf wins Spain's Prince of Asturias award
Johannesburg: A Tale of Two Cities
W.Cup concert, opening ceremony to have African vibe
Jack Johnson sets sail at No. 1 on U.S. pop chart
|
A-Team a remake? That's idiotic says director
|
Soweto concert to get fans warmed up for World Cup
|
Shakira gives dance lesson in South Africa township
|
Paramount revives hit film Ghost in Japan
|
Katy Perry rules singles chart with summer anthem
|
Taliban blamed for Afghan wedding carnage
Ten rebels killed in Chechnya
U.N. council hits defiant Iran with new sanctions
|
Hackers obtain email addresses of iPad 3G owners
Afghan wedding 'attack' kills more than 40
Suicide bomber kills dozens at Afghan wedding party
|
Second Life creator Linden Lab laying off staff
Liberals draw one seat ahead of Labour in Dutch vote
Blackhawks snap NHL's longest Stanley Cup drought
Austerity-minded Liberals lead in Dutch poll
|
US, Europe welcome fresh UN sanctions
Partial results point to deadlock in Dutch election
Obama sees Mideast 'progress' possible this year
Google says Apple terms would bar its ads on iPhones
Jack Johnson Earns Third #1 Album With "To The Sea"
Global cyber security experts to meet in Estonia
Costner touts technology for Gulf spill cleanup
Suicide attack kills 40 at Afghan wedding party
North Korea seeks to soothe China over border shootings
|
Liberals, Labour tie Dutch vote: exit poll
China wants more dialogue on Iran nuclear issue
Russia detains top Caucasus rebel leader: official
Skepticism reigns as Thai PM makes reconciliation bid
|
Afghan ex-spy boss opposes talking to Taliban
S.Korean government website hit by cyber attacks
Death is no escape from Internet in Hong Kong
N.Korea vows punishment for China border deaths
Mexico seethes over fatal US border shooting of teen
Sri Lanka arrests kissing couples
China journalists robbed at World Cup
Jennifer Aniston To Play Her Sexiest Role Yet In "Horrible Bosses"
Ahmadinejad due in China after sanctions slap
AT&T: iPad user data exposed via security flaw
|
California Passes Expanded Anti-Paparazzi Law
Jack Johnson Earns Third #1 Album With "To The Sea"
China housing activist maintains defiant stand
Detroit Council Seeks Better Hiring Chance For Felon Job Applicants
US presses China to rein in N.Korea
Congress Considers Removing Oil Company Liability Cap for Spills
Blockade in Indian state hits supplies to region
U.S. Markets Finish Lower As Energy Names Weigh
S.Korean activists protest visit by Israel's Peres
S.Korea's Samsung to invest in US plant
Japan growth revised higher in first quarter
China trade surplus soars in May on export boom
Foxconn stops payments to suicide workers' families
S.Korea freezes key rate for 16th month
Soccer City stadium springs out of mine dumps
Honda says two China plants remain closed
Attack throws light on London's urban foxes
Exhibition opens wardrobes of opera's super stars
Football fever grips township
US lawmakers see action on yuan in two weeks
US unveils new passport rules for transgender people
China accused of 'honey laundering' by US senator
Evita comes back to Broadway, with Ricky Martin in tow
Bank of Korea keeps rate at record low 2 percent
5,500-year leather mocassin world's oldest shoe
Britney Spears' ex-manager, mom escalate legal feud
|
Foxconn considering Taiwan production
Thinking man's mystery: Stolen Descartes letter returned
Which sitcom actresses rarely watch their shows?
|
US author Kingsolver wins top book award for women
Ricky Martin to star in Evita on Broadway
|
Bourne goes back to basics
|
British PM visits Afghanistan, rules out more troops
Internet memorial site launched in Hong Kong
Kandahar mission 'to go slower than planned': NATO
BP shares slump as Obama tightens screws
British PM visits Afghanistan
Spain labor talks fail
|
BP shares slide on oil spill fallout
Fergie Releasing Outspoken Avon Fragrance
Dodd Calls On Yale University To Return Artifacts To Peru
McChrystal sees slower pace for Kandahar operation
|
Pirate fishing takes root off West African coast
|
Passport Rules Change For Transgendered Travelers
Suicide attack kills 40 at Afghan wedding party
Star Jones Writing Novel About "The View"-Like Show
Congolese retrial condemns two Norwegians to death
|
NJ Terror Suspects Scheduled To Appear In Court
Iran election anniversary rally called off
|
Arizona Authorities Drop Case Against Warren Jeffs
Police arrest second accomplice in Serb PM's killing
|
PA Environmental Officials Suspend Contractor In Natural Gas Blowout
Tom Cruise To Reprise Les Grossman Role In Planned Film
Uninsured At Increased Risk Of Dying In The Hospital
Texting, Talking While Driving Almost As Dangerous As Drunk Driving, Doctor Says
S.Korea rocket blows up minutes after blast-off
Obama 'to help' Philippine president-elect quit smoking
Australia stuntman sets ball tricks record
World Cup fever infects millions in Asia
Global warming spells doom for Asia's rivers
Japan prosecutors seek jail for anti-whaling man
NZ minister admits putting porn on expenses
Apple faces U.S. antitrust scrutiny: report
|
N.Zealand police to probe Google over privacy
Chinese thirst drives oil demand: IEA
Japan growth data, Fed comments lift Asian stocks
Hollywood revives television's 'A-Team'
Sands' Singapore resort sued by Asian lawyer group
Strikes put China on spot over labor unrest
Israeli author scoops German literary peace prize
Hollywood revives television's 'A-Team'
Hollywood's Most Influential Celebrities
The Most Dangerous Job In Vegas
Music's New Entrepreneurs
Hollywood's Hardest-Working Actors
Susan Boyle expected to sing for the Pope
|
Why Hollywood Loves A Remake
DEVO returns with fan-driven album
|
A-Team a remake? That's idiotic says director
|
Greece at new risk of being pushed off euro
Bodies of missing Tenn. mom, Jo Ann Bain, and daughter found
Female Breasts Are Bigger Than Ever
AMD Trinity Accelerated Processing Units Now in Volume Production
The Avengers (2012 film), made the second biggest opening- and single-day gross of all-time
AMD to Start Production of piledriver
Ivy Bridge Quad-Core, Four-Thread Desktop CPUs
Islamists Protest Lady Gaga's Concert in Indonesia
Japan Successfully Broadcasts an 8K Signal Over the Air
ECB boosts loans to 1 trillion Euro to stop credit crunch
Egypt : Mohammed Morsi won with 52 percent
What do you call 100,000 Frenchmen with their hands up
AMD Launches AMD Embedded R-Series APU Platform
Fed Should not Ignore Emerging Market Crisis
Fed casts shadow over India, emerging markets
Why are Chinese tourists so rude? A few insights