U.S. official: Peace effort aimed at lessening Arab, EU pressure - Haaretz - Israel News: "U.S. Deputy National Security Advisor Elliott Abrams on Thursday told a group of Jewish Republicans that the efforts the United States is now investing in the Israeli-Palestinian conflict is aimed at lessening the pressure from ?Arabs and the Europeans, who weren?t happy with the United States? in its past approach.
Abrams was quoted by sources present at the meeting as saying Arab and European states want ?to see that there's at least an attempt or energy? being exerted by the U.S. to move the peace process forward.
Abrams explained that the talks are sometimes not more than 'process for the sake of process.'
The comments were made during a breakfast meeting of a forum of Jewish Republicans directed by Congressman Eric Cantor of Virginia, chief deputy minority whip."