election is stalling peace process London, Oct 18, SPA -- Palestinian Foreign Minister Nabil Shaath said Monday the U.S. presidential election was stalling theMiddle East peace process and urged other countries toincrease their efforts. Following talks in London with British Foreign SecretaryJack Straw, Shaath said Palestinians were paying the priceof America being distracted in the run up to the Nov. 2poll. "I keep saying really that we have many times to pay forthese American elections unfairly," Shaath told a newsconference. "During an American election and the threemonths after, allies of the United States should do morework than they would do otherwise." He noted that the hiatus could continue until January2005, when either U.S. President George W. Bush or hisDemocratic challenger John Kerry is sworn in. "I do not think the three coming months should justwitness Palestinians getting killed. I think something canbe done by America's friends and allies and I think Britainis very well situated to do that." Prime Minister Tony Blair has promised to makerevitalizing the peace process a personal priorityfollowing the U.S. election. Peace efforts have been hobbled during four years offighting between Israelis and Palestinians. The United States was one of the key sponsors _ along withthe European Union, the United Nations and Russia _ of the"road map" peace plan, which stalled shortly after it waslaunched in June 2003.--SPA1339 Local Time 1039 GMT www.spa.gov.sa/211744