A top U.S. diplomat discussed the "roadmap" peace plan for the Middle East with members of the "quartet," the State Department said on Tuesday evening. William Burns met with representatives of the quartet -the European Union, United Nations and Russia during a trip to Frankfurt, department spokesman Richard Boucher said during a press briefing. Burns plans to discuss the Israeli-Palestinian conflict during visits to Israel, Egypt and the Palestinian territories. "We have seen a lot of talk in the region of a cease-fire. We would certainly welcome that if it can be made an effective cease-fire," Boucher said. Burns plans to talk to Palestinian President Mahmoud Abbas about the Palestinians' effort to improve security, according to Boucher. In addition, Burns is likely to discuss the roadmap, which calls for creating a Palestinian state if the Palestinians and Israelis can meet certain conditions, Boucher added.
