US envoy seeks European support for Mideast push

US envoy George Mitchell asked for French and European Union support for a renewed push for a two-state peace deal in the Middle East, saying the United States had a "set timetable" for negotiations lasting no longer than two years.

But Israel's ambassador in Washington, Michael Oren, criticized Mitchell's ambitions. He told the Washington Post's Jackson Diehl that Israel didn't like Mitchell's timetable as it was "unrealistic and might prove counterproductive."

"We know from our experience that state-making takes a long time," he told his interviewer at the Post.

Mitchell, on a visit to Paris, sought European support for the plan. "No one country, no one person can accomplish this objective alone," he said, and urged "a combined and concerted effort and partnership" with US allies, including France, toward resuming peace negotiations that broke down in December 2008.

Mitchell spoke Monday after meeting with French Foreign Minister Bernard Kouchner. The two will meet in Brussels on Tuesday with UN and EU officials to discuss the stalled peace efforts.

Kouchner and Mitchell also discussed a French proposal to eventually host a Mideast peace conference, though no details of the discussions were released.

"We are working with the parties to resume negotiations as soon as possible with a set timetable for their successful conclusion," Mitchell told reporters after the meeting.