spellchecker parametrically: Kerry will bypass Israel on Mideast, Europe trip

Thursday, February 21, 2013

Kerry will bypass Israel on Mideast, Europe trip

By The Associated Press

Published: Tuesday, February 19, 2013, 8:51?p.m.
Updated 3 minutes ago

WASHINGTON ? Secretary of State John Kerry won't visit Israel on his first official trip to the Middle East, U.S. officials said on Tuesday as they announced a jam-packed itinerary through nine nations, including several in Europe.

Kerry's maiden voyage begins on Sunday. He will visit close U.S. allies and partners in Britain, Germany, France, Italy, Turkey, Egypt, Saudi Arabia, United Arab Emirates and Qatar. His diplomacy will focus on the conflicts in Mali, Syria and Afghanistan, said State Department spokeswoman Victoria Nuland.

There will be no stops in Israel or the Palestinian territories, which together have formed an epicenter of American diplomatic efforts during the past six decades.

Nuland said the United States is waiting for Israeli political parties to form a new government after their recent elections.

?The Israelis are still working on their coalition,? she told reporters, adding that Kerry won't travel to Jerusalem or Ramallah in the West Bank until this spring ? when he accompanies President Obama.

The announcement likely will dampen any lingering hopes that the Obama administration might unveil a fresh initiative to revive the moribund Mideast peace process.

The State Department didn't formally announce stops in Israel or the West Bank on Kerry's first trip, but officials cited them among the most likely destinations to lay the groundwork for Obama's upcoming visit.

Nuland said the former Massachusetts senator is primarily on a ?listening tour? regarding Syria. He also won't advocate any shift in U.S. policy that would involve military support for the rebels fighting President Bashar Assad's regime.

Not on the agenda is a face-to-face with Russia's foreign minister. Russia has stymied efforts to halt the violence in Syria.