As concerns mount over whether Palestinian elections will go ahead as planned this month, the U.S. State Department today said it believed a solution to the election stalemate could be found. The legislative poll, scheduled for January 25, has been thrown into jeopardy by Israel's refusal to allow Palestinians living in East Al-Quds city to vote. Palestinian President Mahmoud Abbas has said the poll may have to be postponed or cancelled if Israel doesn't reverse its decision. While Israel has permitted voting in the area in the past, Israeli Prime Minister Ariel Sharon has said Hamas' participation in the election makes East Al-Quds city voting impossible this time around. Despite the apparent deadlock, State Department spokesman Sean McCormack said compromises had been reached in the past. "We see no reason why the Palestinian Authority and the Israeli government shouldn't be able to come to some similar kind of accommodation for this round of voting," McCormack said. McCormack also announced that Assistant Secretary of State for Near Eastern Affairs, David Welch, and National Security Council member Elliot Abrams will travel to the region this week. "They are going to be talking to officials on both sides … about the range of issues," McCormack said.
