http://192.168.2.6/english/20061130VOA.mp3

It's 15:00 Universal Time and here is the news from the Voice of America.

From the VOA news center in Washington, I'm Frances Alonzo.

Iraqi Prime Minister Nouri al-Maliki and US President George Bush meet in Jordan today. Mr. Bush says terrorists are trying to bring down the government in Baghdad and he wants to know what the United States can do to help stop them. VOA White House correspondent Scott Sterns reports.

Mr. Bush says terrorists are fueling that violence and / toppling the unity government in Baghdad. He wants to hear from the Prime Minister about his plans to restore security. The president says completing that mission means establish an Iraqi government that can sustain itself and defend itself and prevent Iraq from being used as a base for terrorist attacks elsewhere. Mr. Bush says fighting in Iraq and Afghanistan is part of a broader struggle between moderation and extreminism in the Middle East. As Mr. Bush considers changes to American policy in Iraq, he says he is looking forward to hearing from a by-partisian panel of former American officials studying the issue. President Bush's meeting with Prime Minister Maliki comes after the publication of the classified memo, raising doubts about the Iraqi leader. The New York Times says the memo from National Security advisor Steven H expresses a serious concern about the Prime Minister's capacity to control sectarian violence. Scott Sterns VOA news with the president to Raga, Latvia.

NATO is pleaging to continue its mission in Afghanistan, despite of the presence of resurging Taliban and al-Qaeda forces and the dispute among its members over how and where troops will be deployed. The alliance issued a / statement today at the end of the 2-day summit in the Latvian capital of Riga. Leaders of the 26-member security alliance promised to commit the forces, resources and flexibility needed to ensure the mission success.

Pope Benedict has celebrated mass at a Christian shrine in western Turkey where he called for a Christian unity and peace in the holy land and for all of humanity. Several hundred pilgrims took part in today's service near the town of P at a shrine marking the place where Christians believe Marry, the mother of Jesus, spent the last years of her life. Benedict also use the mask honor the memory of Catholic praise shot dead in February by a Turkish youth as part of a region-wide explosion of Muslim anger of characters of the Prophet Mahmoud in western media.

Egypt's Intelligence Chief is visiting Israel for talks about a possible exchange of prisoners between Israel and the Palestinians after a ceasefire in the Gaza Strip. A S is holding talks today with Israel's Defense Minister Amir Peretz and Prime Minister Ehud Almert. Palestinian sources say the two sides are yet to agree on the number of Palestinian prisoners Israel will free rather exchange for an Israeli soldier kidnapped by Palestinian militants in late June. Meanwhile the US State Department has confirmed that Secretary of State Condoleezza Rice will meet Palestinian President Mahmoud Abbas in the West Bank on Thursday to try to build a momentum of Israeli-Palestinian peace efforts. The Americans are encouraged by this week's Gaza ceasefire and by the consolitory speech by Israeli Prime Minister Ehud Almert. VOA's David G reports from the State Department.

That meeting comes against the background of hopeful news for the first time among / Israeli-Palestinian front. That includes a largely effective ceasefire in Gaza and an address by Israeli Prime Minister Olmert Monday offering peace talks and concessions if a Palestinian government is formed that accepts Israel and renounces violence. State Department spokesman S M says the developments all go well for restoring a long-stalled political dialogue between the parties.

"If the two sides can move beyond some / in the white rain now, we know there's er there's real there's real prospect of the political crisis in there."

M said because of scheduling issues Rice would not necessarily hold a corresponding meeting Thursday with Israeli Prime Minister Olmert. However, he says they spoke by telephone Monday after the Prime Minister speech in which he raised the prospect of confidence building measures if the Palestinian side chose a path of peace. David G VOA news, the State Department.

The United States is urging all parties in Congo to respect the court ruling to give the President Joseph K victory in the country's presidential elections. The Congolese Supreme Court declared Mr. K the winner early this week after ruling the complacement of fraud by main challenger Y B were founded. A statement from the White House today congratulated Mr. K.

I'm Frances Alonzo Washington, VOA news.