Rice: Confidence needed in Middle East

RAMALLAH, West Bank, June 15 (UPI) -- An atmosphere of confidence is needed to create an independent Palestinian state in the Middle East, U.S. Secretary of State Condeelezza Rice said Sunday.

After meeting with Palestinian National Authority President Mahmoud Abbas, Rice said ongoing comments from both Israeli and Palestinian officials are only hindering talks to create an independent Palestinian state.

"And unfortunately, I do believe, and the United States believes, that the actions and the announcements that are taking place are indeed having a negative effect on the atmosphere for negotiation," Rice said from the West Bank.

"We should be in a position of encouraging confidence, not undermining it. No party should be taking steps at this point that could prejudice the outcome of a negotiation."

Meanwhile, Abbas thanked the United States for its assistance in the problematic talks between his organization and Israel.

"All of this effort is an expression of the serious assistance brought to us and this is what we feel," Abbas said after meeting with Rice. "And in the beginning, we are happy with this U.S. position, and we are quite grateful to the U.S. administration for exerting all of these efforts."