By Elise Labott
CNN Washington Bureau
Saturday, July 15, 2006; Posted: 8:50 p.m. EDT (00:50 GMT)
WASHINGTON (CNN) --
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Senior State Department officials said the U.S. has three main diplomatic goals in the Middle East: to help facilitate the release of the Israeli soldiers whose kidnappings precipitated the latest crisis; to pressure Israel to exercise restraint in its operations against Lebanon; and to support the Lebanese government of Prime Minister Fouad Siniora.
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U.S. calls for Israeli restraint have been pale in comparison to those from leaders in Europe and the Middle East who see the attacks against Lebanon as disproportionate.
Not only is the United States reluctant to criticize Israel as it faces terrorist attacks from Hezbollah, officials realize U.S. influence with Israel over its military operations is limited.
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...an envoy doesn't seem to be in the cards, according to senior State Department officials, nor does a trip by Secretary of State Condoleezza Rice. The officials say an envoy could disrupt ongoing efforts and would be unproductive without diplomatic room to maneuver. As one senior State Department official put it: "At times like this it's comforting to think of sending an envoy, but to where? We can't put Colin Powell on a plane to Damascus and Tehran."
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http://www.cnn.com/2006/WORLD/meast/07/15/btsc.labott.diplomacy/index.html