Peace Talks

Peace talks between the government of Mozambique and guerrillas resume in the Italian capital Monday in hopes of ending one of Africa's bloodiest civil wars. The last round of talks ended in December with a limited cease-fire along the Beira Corridor, which links the Indian Ocean with Zimbabwe. Now, with reports of more rebel attacks on civilians inside the country, the key issue is a countrywide cease-fire.

In response to "A Way Out of the Middle East Impasse--Return to 1949 Boundaries," Bookmark, Opinion, Nov. 3: Amen. That's the ticket. Going back to 1949 boundaries in the Middle East! What does the world expect? For over 45 years the Palestinians have lived as outcasts in camps. Get real, Israelis! You, of all people, know what it's like to suffer. Step out for peace, your peace and security! LAURA INGMAN, South Pasadena

I note with displeasure one of your Israel-bashing editorials ("Erecting Obstacles to the Peace Process," Jan. 4). Israel is not supposed to retaliate against the murder of its citizens. Israel, a country smaller than Connecticut, is supposed to return land to its Arab neighbors who control sparsely occupied territories larger than the United States and Canada combined. Where is the logic? HENRI TEMIANKA Los Angeles

Maybe this time they'll give peace a chance in El Salvador. Like exhausted boxers, the warring sides in that nation's decade-long civil war are warily shuffling toward each other again, exploring the possibility of peace talks. Both sides recall that when this happened last fall, the talks collapsed and were followed by some of the fiercest fighting in years. Things haven't gotten much better in El Salvador since then, but conditions elsewhere in Central America have changed dramatically.

HISTORIC MOMENT: Top officials of Israel, Syria, Lebanon, Jordan and the Palestinians sat around the same table for the first time in history and listened to the same speeches without walking out or issuing threats. BUSH ENTREATY: President Bush implored Israelis and Arabs to strike a deal centered on territorial compromise and permanent treaties.

Foreign Minister Tzipi Livni, in her first policy address since being nominated to form Israel's next government, voiced her commitment to press ahead with peace negotiations with the Palestinians. "Let us not allow dates or political changes to stand in our way," she said in an address at a policy conference at the Foreign Ministry also attended by Palestinian Authority Foreign Minister Riyad Maliki. "We are waiting to see who will be the next president, Obama versus McCain, and believe me there is a big difference between the two vis-a-vis . . . the Middle East peace process," Maliki said.