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Source: http://www.google.com/hostednews/ap/article/ALeqM5ioi_0jtO9RjMwPNRoXNCndRPRq3gD9FA0VF01
Signs of Progress as Obama Envoy Wraps Up Mission
(AP) Mohammed Daraghmeh - President Obama's Middle East envoy George Mitchell wrapped up his latest diplomatic mission Sunday without getting the Palestinians to agree to indirect peace talks with Israel, but there were signs the impasse could be broken soon. Mitchell said he would return to the region next week, signaling he is making progress. A senior Palestinian official said PA leader Mahmoud Abbas was inclined to agree to the talks, in large part because of personal appeals in recent days from Obama, Mitchell, and Secretary of State Hillary Clinton. Last week, Obama wrote to Abbas, promising to work hard to achieve a comprehensive Mideast peace deal. The Palestinians have low expectations of the U.S.-brokered talks, but also want to avoid offending Obama and do not want to be cast in the role of nay-sayers.