Indirect Mideast talks may have to do

JERUSALEM, Oct. 28 (UPI) -- Some within the Obama administration are saying indirect Mideast peace negotiations may have to suffice, the Israeli newspaper Haaretz reported Wednesday.

The newspaper, without naming its sources, said voices inside the White House are advocating indirect negotiations for now to advance the peace process between Israelis and Palestinians after efforts by U.S. special envoy George Mitchell have failed to narrow the gap between the two sides.

Haaretz said U.S. Secretary of State Hillary Clinton, who is due to arrive in Israel Saturday for her first visit since Israeli Prime Minister Binyamin Netanyahu was sworn in, is set to take a more direct role in the Mideast diplomatic process. Mitchell is to arrive in Israel Thursday to prepare for Clinton's visit.

Officials told the newspaper that Clinton is expected to meet Netanyahu, Defense Minister Ehud Barak and President Shimon Peres on Sunday. Before that, she is to meet with Arab foreign ministers in Morocco.

Netanyahu's office, meanwhile, said the prime minister will travel to Washington to address the United Jewish Communities General Assembly, which meets Nov. 8-10, and is expected to confer with President Barack Obama during the trip.