Mid-East press sceptical of Rice visit

With US National Security Adviser Condoleezza Rice due in the Middle East later this week, most Arab newspapers view her visit as another way of putting pressure on the Palestinians.

Israeli papers, on the other hand, are alarmed by the prospect of a ceasefire, seeing the US-backed roadmap peace plan as a threat to Israel's security.

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Colin Powell is simply striving for America's voice to remain the sole and loudest voice in our region.

US Secretary of State Colin Powell has left, and the visit by US National Security Adviser Condoleezza Rice is imminent. "Goodbye Powell, welcome Condoleezza," Arab officials say, but the Arab man in the street, who says neither goodbye nor welcome, will say: "Well then, what has been achieved?"

Al-Hayat al-Jadidah - Palestinian (24 June)

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Perhaps the mission by Condoleezza Rice will be difficult, but not impossible, considering the place she holds in the White House and given the fact that she is considered one of the closest persons to George Bush.

Will Condoleezza Rice succeed where others have failed? Will she forsake what she said in the past, that Israel's security is the key to world peace?

Al-Watan - Saudi Arabia

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If Condoleezza Rice is visiting to discuss in particular guarantees for Israeli security while occupation of the Arab lands continues, this will not only worsen the situation in Palestine but will demolish the roadmap.

It is up to the US administration and its hawks who want to demolish the roadmap to understand that any solution which abuses the rights of Arabs and favours the interests of Israel will never benefit the security of Israel, and also will never bring about peace in the Middle East.

Al-Thawrah - Syria

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It is clear that all this US involvement in the region is not something which can persuade Israel. It is instead putting pressure on the Palestinian side, while Israel, as usual, is free from any pressure. And what is worse, in the US there are people ready to justify Israel's crimes, regarding them as self-defence.

American efforts would be more effective if Washington committed itself to being objective and neutral. Only then will we be able to talk about real US efforts towards peace.

Al-Jazirah - Saudi Arabia

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The US deals with the Palestinian issue as if Palestinians, whose lands and rights were seized with violence, are the real terrorists. As for the Israelis they are always the "scholars" of peace!

Ukaz - Saudi Arabia

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There is nothing hindering realisation of a just peace other than the Israeli obstacle, and there is a need for a serious US effort to eradicate this obstacle.

Tishrin - Syria

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The personal chemistry between Sharon and Bush is very important, but it cannot be the sole factor in promoting our relations with the US. We have enough allies in the US who understand that the ceasefire is a disaster for us and it cannot be allowed to materialise because its high cost in human life in Israel is inevitable.

Yediot Aharonot - Israel

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Now, it seems, the die is cast and soon the start of the ceasefire celebration will be officially announced. Thus the curtain will rise on a stage-managed agreement between members of the murder syndicate and the Israeli Government, which will wag its tail and sign, as expected, in accordance with the US dictate...The truce means Israeli surrender.

Maariv - Israel

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Instead of placing the onus on the Palestinians, Bush is acting as if the two sides were equally to blame for the current predicament. Israel should abandon the roadmap now before it is too late. The alternative is simply too horrible to contemplate.

Jerusalem Post - Israel

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BBC Monitoring, based in Caversham in southern England, selects and translates information from radio, television, press, news agencies and the Internet from 150 countries in more than 70 languages.