US diplomat in Jordan to discuss ME peace talks

US Assistant Secretary of State David Welch held talks Thursday with Jordan's foreign minister, the latest in diplomatic efforts aimed at reviving the Israeli-Palestinian peace process. Welch's talks with Foreign Minister Abdul-Ilah al-Khatib in Amman came a day after he participated in a Cairo gathering of envoys from the "Quartet" of patrons of the peace process - the United States, Russia, the European Union and the United Nations. The Quartet insists that the new Palestinian unity government, even if it still includes Hamas, must clearly support negotiations and recognize Israel.