Tel Aviv, March 23 (SPA) - U.S. Vice President DickCheney said on Sunday that Washington was doing its utmost topush forward Israeli-Palestinian peace negotiations. Cheney, who began a visit to Israel and the occupied WestBank on Saturday, started a day of talks with Israeli andPalestinian leaders. He met Israeli President Shimon Peres, who told him"time is of the essence" in U.S.-brokered negotiations with thethe Palestinians that Washington hopes can lead to a peace dealby the time George W. Bush leaves office in January 2009, according to a report of Reuters. Bush made his first presidential visit to Israel and theWest Bank two months ago. He is expected to make another tripsoon. "We're obviously dedicated to doing all we can as anadministration to try to move the peace process forward and alsoobviously actively involved in dealing with the threats that wesee emerging in the region...." Cheney said. Cheney was to visit the occupied West Bank later in the dayand meet Palestinian President Mahmoud Abbas as well as PrimeMinister Salam Fayyad before leaving for Turkey, his last stopon a nine-day visit to the Middle East.--SPA www.spa.gov.sa/539017