The NATO official discussed developments in Afghanistan on standard diplomatic ground rules of anonymity because of the delicacy of the reconciliation discussions.
"A lot of members of the international community believe that since the Palestinians are the weaker party, if they get more support it will help them in the direct talks with us," a senior Israeli official said, speaking on standard diplomatic ground rules of anonymity.
"It does appear that the countries that are concerned about this issue are trying to think their way and feel their way towards a more positive approach," the senior Pentagon official said, speaking on standard diplomatic ground rules of anonymity to describe American assessments of the Chinese comments.
President Bush's remarks on Tuesday shook the diplomatic ground here.
"Kurdish officials are frustrated with us," said one senior American diplomat, speaking on the condition of anonymity under diplomatic ground rules.
"The Balkans, when they tried an up or down referendum, it led to bloodshed," warned the diplomat, speaking on the condition of anonymity under diplomatic ground rules.
One Western diplomat, speaking on the condition of anonymity under diplomatic ground rules, said it was clear that if the Haqqanis were behind the attack, the militants were reacting to Secretary of State Hillary Rodham Clinton's recent trip to Pakistan.
"We know there are going to be Sadrist ministries," said an American diplomat, who spoke on the condition of anonymity under normal diplomatic ground rules.
The official, like another, spoke on condition of anonymity under standard diplomatic ground rules.
For his part, Mr. Saleh emphasized Yemen's counterterrorism campaign, which makes use of American training, intelligence and, sometimes, firepower, in the form of cruise missiles, said the official, speaking on condition of anonymity under normal diplomatic ground rules.
