U.S. urges Israel, Palestinians to resume talks

WASHINGTON, March 3 (Xinhua) -- The United States on Wednesday urged Israel and the Palestinians to resume peace talks as quick as possible, saying negotiation is the only choice for a comprehensive peace in the Middle East.

"It's important for the parties to begin to address the issues at the heart of the peace process. If we're going to get to a comprehensive peace agreement, they have to begin to wrestle with the particulars," said State Department spokesman Philip Crowley.

"We want to get this process started. The sooner it starts, the better," said the spokesman,adding that U.S. special envoy George Mitchell will travel to the Middle East in coming days.

The Obama administration has been tired of pushing the Israeli government and the Palestinian National Authority (PNA) to resume the peace talks, which were stalled in December 2008 when Israel launched a massive military campaign against the Islamic Hamas movement in the Gaza Strip.

PNA Chairman Mahmoud Abbas insists that the talks would not be resumed until the Israeli government totally freezes the Jewish settlement construction in the West Bank, while the Israeli side accuses the PNA of setting precondition for the peace talks and claims to ensure the "natural growth" of the Jewish settlements.

At least 450,000 Israelis live in more than 100 settlements in the West Bank.

"We have no choice here, .. Ultimately the two parties in this channel as well as other channels are going to have to sit down face-to-face, deal with these issues, make some painful compromises along the way, and ultimately reach an agreement that ends the conflict," said Crowley.