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Israeli soldiers stand behind a burning barricade during clashes with Palestinian youths in the West Bank town of Bethlehem, Tuesday, March 4, 2008. Palestinian President Mahmoud Abbas on Tuesday said "peace and negotiations are our strategic choice" but fell short of announcing a resumption of peace talks his government cut off after an upsurge in fighting between Israel and Hamas-ruled Gaza. Abbas made his comments in a joint press conference with U.S. Secretary of State Condoleezza Rice, who expressed hope of "negotiations restarting as soon as possible." (AP Photo/Kevin Frayer)