Jerusalem-Amman

      In talks with Mahmoud Abbas and Secretary of State Rice on Monday in Jerusalem, Prime Minister Olmert demanded that the Palestinian unity government recognize Israel, renounce terror and accept previous Israeli-Palestinian agreements, as specified by the Quartet. Israel will not have any contact with Palestinian figures who are considered moderates if they serve in a government that does not accept the Quartet's conditions, Olmert said. He rejected the suggestion that Israel negotiate with the PLO, headed by Abbas, thereby freeing Hamas of the requirement to recognize Israel. He also demanded that the Palestinian government release captive soldier Gilad Shalit, stop the arms-smuggling between the Sinai and Gaza, and deploy forces in northern Gaza to prevent rocket fire at Israel. Yesterday, Jordan's king Abdullah called on the United States and the international community Tuesday to help promote peace in the Middle East and bring Israel and the Palestinians back to the negotiating table. in a meeting with US Secretary of State Condoleezza Rice in Amman, the king said that the nations of the region expected Washington to "continue to play a major role in the peace process by creating the necessary environment for a resumption of negotiations" that would ensure an independent Palestinian state, media reported.(10,13)