DAMASCUS, Syria -- The Obama administration's Middle East envoy pledged to seek a quick resumption of peace talks between Israel and Syria over the disputed Golan Heights region, as the U.S. intensified its rapprochement with Syrian President Bashar Assad.  U.S. envoy George Mitchell, left, with Syrian President Bashar Assad, is laying the groundwork for peace talks.  George Mitchell's second trip to Damascus in a little over a month, and his fifth to the Middle East since taking up the post, is part of a broader push by Washington to jump-start the Arab-Israeli peace process. The issue is emerging as among President Barack Obama's most ambitious foreign-policy initiatives.  Mr. Mitchell is attempting to gain a total freeze on Israeli settlements in the West Bank and East Jerusalem, in return for Arab countries taking steps to normalize relations with the Jewish state, such as developing trade and telecommunications links. The U.S. hopes such moves could lay the groundwork for formal peace talks between the Israelis and the Palestinians, and the Israelis and bordering Arab states Syria and Lebanon.  Journal articles on the 1967 Six-Day War.  "Our goal is to bring to this region, and to all of its people, an opportunity to live in peace and dignity," Mr. Mitchell told reporters in Damascus on Sunday, after meeting with Mr. Assad. "If we are to succeed, we will need Arabs and Israelis alike to work with us to bring about comprehensive peace."  The Israelis and key Arab countries, such as Saudi Arabia, have balked at Mr. Mitchell's initiative. The issue of the Israeli settlements freeze has emerged as particularly contentious for Washington and Israel, with conservative Prime Minister Benjamin Netanyahu arguing that Israeli citizens have the right to build homes in East Jerusalem.  Mr. Mitchell is to meet with Mr. Netanyahu Tuesday following a trip to Egypt. U.S. Defense Secretary Robert Gates and Mr. Obama's national security adviser, Jim Jones, also are scheduled to visit Israel this week, underscoring the priority the White House has placed on the peace process and on efforts to curb Iran's nuclear program, said U.S. officials.  Israeli officials have voiced concern that the U.S. wasn't doing enough to prevent Iran from developing nuclear weapons. Mr. Netanyahu has suggested that Israel would take military action against Iran's nuclear infrastructure if U.S.-led diplomacy doesn't show results soon.  "Our message [to Israel] is as it has been. ...The United States believes that Israel has a right to security," Secretary of State Hillary Clinton said Sunday on NBC's "Meet the Press." "We believe, however, that this [diplomatic] approach we are taking holds out the promise of realizing our common objective."  Mr. Mitchell's meeting with Mr. Assad marked the latest move in a diplomat rapprochement with Syria. Mr. Obama has expressed hopes of wooing Syria away from its strategic alliance with Iran.  The Obama administration has in recent weeks said it will return a U.S. ambassador to Damascus. Former President George W. Bush recalled Washington's ambassador in 2005, following the murder of former Lebanese Premier Rafik Hariri, an act some U.S. officials blamed on Syria. Damascus has denied any involvement.  U.S. and Syrian officials are discussing ways to coordinate monitoring of the Syria-Iraq border for the possible flow of fighters and arms into Iraq.  "The messages coming to us from President Obama stress his administration's determination and resolve to open a new page with Syria," Mr. Assad's media adviser, Buthaina Shabaan, told Syrian state media on Sunday.  A key to success will be the U.S.'s ability to gain Israel's consent to hold direct negotiations over the future of the Golan Heights, Syrian officials said. Mr. Netanhayu's government has said it won't engage in such negotiations if Syria maintains Israel must return the Golan Heights.  Write to Jay Solomon at jay.solomon@wsj.com
The U.S. is determined to achieve a truly comprehensive Arab-Israeli peace settlement, Obama's Mideast envoy said after meeting with Syria's president. | Video