Hillary Clinton holds talks with Israeli premier in bid to prevent West Bank land row derailing Middle East peace process (DailyMail UK)

Clinton: Mideast Talks Tackling "Core Issues"  (AP, CBSNews.com)

Top U.S. Diplomat Says Israelis, Palestinians "Down to Business," But No Indication Settlement Stalemate Resolved

JERUSALEM, Sept. 15, 2010
(CBS/AP) U.S. Secretary of State Hillary Rodham Clinton on Wednesday said Israeli and Palestinian leaders are "getting down to business" on core issues of renewed peace talks, but gave no sign they are any closer to resolving a looming crisis over Israeli West Bank settlements.

The Palestinians are threatening to walk out of the talks if Israel resumes construction in the settlements after a slowdown expires at the end of the month. Israeli Prime Minister Benjamin Netanyahu said earlier this week that at least some construction will resume.

Clinton was in Jerusalem for a second day of talks aimed at ending the impasse, a day after meeting Netanyahu and Palestinian President Mahmoud Abbas at a summit hosted by Egypt.

"They are getting down to business and they have begun to grapple with the core issues that can only be resolved through face-to-face negotiations," Clinton told reporters. "I believe they are serious about reaching an agreement that results in two states living side by side in peace and security."

She made no mention of the settlement dispute, but acknowledged that many obstacles remain and many Israelis remain skeptical after years of failed peace initiatives by a string of U.S. presidents, including her husband.

"We are convinced that the legitimate aspirations of these two peoples are not incompatible," Clinton said. "We are also convinced that peace is both necessary and possible and that this is a moment of opportunity that must be seized."

Continues @ CBSNews.com
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Even as the talks begin, there was an airstrike from Israel towards Gaza strip this morning.

SOS Hillary Clinton has done all any great diplomat can do to bring them to a table, get them engaged on serious dialog, get them into an amicable mode of dialog... and now we hope they keep at it.  From what we know from the Turkey-Armenia situation, she even tends to the kindle to keep it going till the signatures are done... but you can only take the horses to the water... show them how to drink.... put some water in their mouth to give them a taste of it in the middle of the desert land... but can the obstinate horses really drink from the same hole?