EU attacks US handling of mediation in Mideast

The European Union, which for months had tried to keep open the door of diplomacy between Israel and Palestinians until Washington was prepared to become re- engaged in the conflict, yesterday said belated mediation attempts by the US had failed.

In uncharacteristically blunt language, Romano Prodi, European Commission president, said it was clear "mediation efforts have failed and we need new mediation. There is not enough action by the US. This is the reality. This is the truth," he told a news conference in Brussels.