U.S. envoy paves way for 'road map', Groundwork being done to implement new peace plan

JERUSALEM - Trying to jump-start a new Middle East peaceinitiative, a senior U.S. envoy called on Palestinians to curtailviolent attacks and urged Israel to ease the conditions of itsmilitary occupation of the West Bank and Gaza.

Assistant U.S. Secretary of State William Burns arrived hereSunday to pave the way for an expected visit by his boss, Secretaryof State Colin L. Powell, later in the week.

Both men are lobbying for a quick start on implementing a newpeace plan known as the "road map," a U.S.-backed proposal to end thebloody Israeli-Palestinian conflict through mutual concessions andthe eventual establishment of an independent Palestinian state,perhaps as …