American Vice President Dick Cheney announced Monday he will visit the Middle East, including Israel, next week. Other countries on his tour include Saudi Arabia and Turkey. His visit to Israel also will take him to the Palestinian Authority (PA), two weeks after American Secretary of State Condoleezza Rice flew into the region to try to force a resumption of negotiations between the PA and Israel.
"President Bush has asked the vice president to travel to Oman, Saudi Arabia, Israel, the West Bank, and Turkey for discussions with these key partners on issues of mutual interest," Cheney's office stated.