U.S. envoys leave for Middle East

WASHINGTON, March 29 (UPI) -- The United States re-launched its peace initiative for the Middle East Monday by sending three senior officials to meet with Arab and Israeli leaders.

The week-long tour comes weeks before next month's scheduled meetings between President Bush, Egyptian President Hosni Mubarak, Prime Minister Ariel Sharon of Israel and Jordanian King Abdullah.

The envoys sent to the Middle East were Assistant Secretary for Near Eastern Affairs William J. Burns, Deputy National Security Advisor Stephen J. Hadley and Senior Director for Near Eastern African Affairs Elliot Abrams.

They will first go to Brussels for talks with European leaders, then proceed to Jerusalem for talks with Israel and visit several Arab capitals.

The State Department refused to give an exact itinerary for the visit, but said the three envoys will be in the region this week.