WASHINGTON (CNN) -- Vice President Dick Cheney will travel to the Middle East next week, including stops in Israel and the Palestinian territories, his office said Monday.
At the direction of President Bush, Cheney will depart Washington on Sunday and meet leaders in Oman, Saudi Arabia, Israel, the West Bank and Turkey "for discussions with these key partners on issues of mutual interest," his office said in a statement.
Bush made his first official visit to Israel and the West Bank in January, and he plans to return in May.
During his trip, Cheney will push the Israeli and Palestinian leaders to adhere to their previous commitments as well as the agreement reached at a recent U.S. summit to work toward a peace deal by the end of the year, according to White House National Security Council spokesman Gordon Johndroe.
Because Bush could not visit Oman during his January trip, Cheney will meet with the sultan on his swing through the region, Johndroe said.
Cheney will discuss a number of regional issues with the Saudis, including the Israeli-Palestinian conflict, Lebanon, Syria and Iran, the spokesman said.
The vice president's visit to Turkey will show U.S. commitment to strong ties with Ankara as well as address issues of importance to the region and NATO, Johndroe said.
The United States had put pressure on Turkey to pull its forces out of northern Iraq, which it did more than a week ago.
The Turkish military for months has been conducting cross-border airstrikes and firing artillery into northern Iraq against members of the Kurdistan Workers' Party, or PKK -- militants who have been launching attacks against Turkey from bases in northern Iraq.
Washington and Baghdad fear a large-scale military operation could destabilize Iraq's Kurdistan region, which has largely avoided the sectarian strife that has engulfed the rest of Iraq following the 2003 U.S.-led invasion and ouster of Saddam Hussein.
http://edition.cnn.com/2008/WORLD/meast/03/10/cheney.mideast/index.html?iref=newssearch

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Bush sending Cheney , aye right .
Posted Mar-10-2008 Bylauriebhoy (1254.00) 
lauriebhoy View Channel Send Message
(1)
"Make peace or I will ACCIDENTLY shoot you in the face." Then make up some scenario where they will have to thank him for the blast....
Posted Mar-10-2008 ByWayUpNorth (766.68) WayUpNorth View Channel Send Message
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What's his message going to be? "Make peace or I'll shoot you in the face."
Posted Mar-10-2008 Bymlivsey (1100.96) 
mlivsey View Channel Send Message
(0)
Posted Mar-10-2008 Bypiehunter (113.12) piehunter View Channel Send Message
(0)
please croak
Posted Mar-10-2008 Bylasrever (5337.90) lasrever View Channel Send Message
(0)
If there ever was a need for friendly fire...
Posted Mar-10-2008 ByEight (531.48) 
Eight View Channel Send Message
(0)
Posted Mar-11-2008 ByBellyup (78.56) Bellyup View Channel Send Message
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Who is Bush?
Posted Mar-11-2008 Byicecom1 (12.04) icecom1 View Channel Send Message
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Posted Mar-11-2008 ByHichkas (5197.94) Hichkas View Channel Send Message
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Posted Mar-11-2008 ByHichkas (5197.94) Hichkas View Channel Send Message
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Good Deal, tell the willing nations in the middle East to get ready to flatten Iran!
:)
.
Posted Mar-10-2008 ByKiffur (113.10) 
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